Echinodorus tenellus melting - DSM

[gmartins]

Hi guys,

After a period of 4-5 years without having a tank, just got back to the business with a nano tank (for the time being).

After reading about the DSM I decided to give it a try. I set up the tank 2 weeks ago with Echinodorus tenellus and Eleocharis parvula. However, things do not seem to be perfect and I wonder if you could give me some advice.

Eleocharis was pretty bad shaped when I bought it but it seems to be recovering well, albeit slowly.
It is E. tenellus I am most concerned about. As time passes, its leaves are turning brownish and then melting away. I've been cutting these as they appear. I note some new leaf growth but very subtle. Any ideas?

Tank set up:
12 litre tank
9 watt PC light (10h a day)
non-enriched gravel substrate - I sticked some fert tabs in it (mostly Fe and micro).

I keep the water level just below the top of the gravel and the tank has a lid to keep the moisture high (not really an issue where I am, cause air humidity is tipically high >80). I have also dissolved some NPK solution in the sprinkle water (once a day). Room temperature is around 17ºC.

The plants did not have a well-developed root system when I bought them. do you think this may be an issue? Are they chanelling their energy for the below ground biomass?

Another question: I was thinking of getting a pot of HC. Do you think 9 watt would do? I am considering using CO2 and EI after submersing. Is this a low or high light tank?

Thanks for you help,

Gustavo

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

The substrate needs to be moist, not full of water....you don't want it to dry out, but you don't want pools of water .5" under the substrate either...

Humidity is fine. Standing water, even if unseen, is not.

W/o using a PAR meter I cannot really say if your tank is high or low light. As for HC, c02 is more important IMO than light in this regard.

Hope this helps.

 

[gmartins]

Hi Gerry,

Thanks for your input. I just removed some water as suggested.

... But do you think that is why E. tenellus is melting? Could this be the result of E. tenellus getting adapted to new conditions (it was submersed when bought)?

cheers G

 

[nipat]

At least in my area, Tenelluses mostly sold in submersed form, while hairgrasses
are mostly emersed.

In my opinion, Tenellus doesn't benefit from DSM much. It's already hardy and
propagates very quickly.

 

[TomMessenger]

I've just come here to ask exactly the same question. Mine's in Aquasoil Amazonia though. It seems that all of the old growth is yellowing and dying off but the new growth seems to be coming through fine. It's not quick, but it is growing. I just hope it doesn't do it again when I fill the tank!!