Curious if anyone has tried this. One thing that I noticed with Schultz Aquatic Soil is that stem plants seem to root really quickly when planted in it. I found the same thing when I took some terrestrial lucky bamboo cuttings and placed them in a cup of water containing Schultz Aquatic Soil. I would say that the difference in root growth between the lucky bamboo stems soaked in Schultz Aquatic soil and a cup of water vs those placed in a cup of small gravel with water showed far greater and quicker root growh. This peaks my curiousity of whether the same would happen if attempts were made to root hair grass or hm or hc using Tom's method to create a quick carpet. I know that Schultz Aquatic soil is not very heavy but it can be combined wiht some pool filter sand. I also don't know if the fact that it is inert with no real nutrient value would make a difference. I plan to try this when I get time and space but was curious to see if anyone had tried it. If it works, it would be a much cheaper way of achieving the same result at a fraction of a cost than using ADA Aquasoil, not to mention that it may be a good option for those who are unable to obtain ADA Aquasoil but have access to Schultz Aquatic Soil.
Using Schultz Aquatic Soil to Grow HC/HM/HG emersed
- Thread starter Homer_Simpson
- Start date
MY HC will be arriving in a day or two and I will be using Toms Emergent method on Schultz aquatic soil. Lets hope it works....
From what Ive read:
Schultz has a high CEC
And has not much nutrients in it (Dont know if this is true)
Should I crush up root tabs for HC?
OR
Will the water + generic ferts be good enough
People have had success with HC on sand! So I am guessing substrate is just used for anchoring and HC likes to absorb nutrients from the water.
Schultz has a high CEC
And has not much nutrients in it (Dont know if this is true)
Should I crush up root tabs for HC?
OR
Will the water + generic ferts be good enough
People have had success with HC on sand! So I am guessing substrate is just used for anchoring and HC likes to absorb nutrients from the water.
I'm growing HC on sand right now emersed, and I simply mist the plants with water from my other tank, which uses EI dosing. I've been doing this now for a little over two weeks, and the plant is growing well.
I'd assume that you could soak the SAS in a liquid fert solution, maybe 2x EI strength, and the substrate would absorb the fertilizers. It would be something fun to play with.
I'd assume that you could soak the SAS in a liquid fert solution, maybe 2x EI strength, and the substrate would absorb the fertilizers. It would be something fun to play with.
Thanks for the quick reply eyebeatbadgers. So in other words your substrate is ZERO nutrients. The only nutrients are in the water which is maybe lightly touching the roots of the HC correct?
griffin_pak;28670 said:
Sand has no nutrients, the water that is in the sand holds the nutrients, plus that which I mist on the leaves. The water level is just barely below the surface of the sand, so the roots are submerged.
here we go....
SUPER CHEAP HC CARPET (HOPEFULLY)
Schultz aquatic soil 5$
Leaf zone (cheap generic fertz) 7.99$
Water decholrinator 5$
Tank + lava rock = free
Another distraction while a 2nd year medical student Priceless...
Day01
SUPER CHEAP HC CARPET (HOPEFULLY)
Schultz aquatic soil 5$
Leaf zone (cheap generic fertz) 7.99$
Water decholrinator 5$
Tank + lava rock = free
Another distraction while a 2nd year medical student Priceless...
Day01
Its been 3 days since planting, some patches have blackened/mushed up I am guessing this is because of me crushing the leaves with my fingers when prying it apart. However I also thing that some of the leaves have started grow or atleast orient themselves towards the light source, it seems that the HC is going to grow a bit taller vs. what came shipped.
I am guessing the main reason is that wholesalers grow these plants under sunlight, and my crappy 1.5wpg 15W 10,000K lightsource is no match
I am guessing the main reason is that wholesalers grow these plants under sunlight, and my crappy 1.5wpg 15W 10,000K lightsource is no match
oh boy disaster, after a long day at school i return home to see my beloved HC blackened, all of it!!! (maybe 5% is nice and grean) any idea why?
any words of advice?
any words of advice?
well I mixed it into the water (water which was used to saturate the gravel and sprayed in tank as well to increase humidtity etc) I used 2X dose
I thought I should update the thread, well i planted 95% of the HC in my tank, and it turned black and died (its been 1 week+ and nothings coming back)
the other 5% luckily i planted into regular potting soil! and boy is that one spreading !!
possible cause of meltdown in aquarium: either the water is too saturated with ferts or low light (although the potting soil HC is getting the same light source)
Light: 15Watt 10,000 T5 AND regular 25Watt CFL
so now my question is:
Can I transplant the HC from potting soil into my aquarium?
Submerge it or try emmerse ?
wash out all the potting soil from the roots correct? (or algae tank later)
the other 5% luckily i planted into regular potting soil! and boy is that one spreading !!
possible cause of meltdown in aquarium: either the water is too saturated with ferts or low light (although the potting soil HC is getting the same light source)
Light: 15Watt 10,000 T5 AND regular 25Watt CFL
so now my question is:
Can I transplant the HC from potting soil into my aquarium?
Submerge it or try emmerse ?
wash out all the potting soil from the roots correct? (or algae tank later)