dwarf baby tears

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
blackghostknife

blackghostknife

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Sep 24, 2010
1,315
11
53
30
Hammond, Louisiana
could you dry start dwarf baby tears http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=768+2679&pcatid=2679

I want to dry start my tank and get a really good carpet before I add stem plants. The tank will include amazon swords, melon sword, giant vals, amazon frog bite, and dwarf sagitteria. what other plants out of the list could be dry started with the baby tears? The lighting will consist of a reef capable LED fixture and LED spot lights.
 
I've seen pics of many people successfully growing mats of HC emersed. Make sure it is humid by covering the tank. Use plastic wrap is you have to.

As for your lights. As long as the LED lights are the correct spectrum (5500-7500) they should be fine. Most Marine/saltwater lighting is very heavy in the blue spectrum (10,000+) and are not suitable for freshwater plants.
 
I am set on LED. because it is cheaper in the long run and practically pay for themselves with energy and bulb replacement costs are factored in. but please answer my question about what other plants I can dry start.
 
I've never done a "dry" setup before but I would imagine most small aquatic plants could be started outside water. Larger plants don't have the rigid cell structure to hold themselves up....
 
suggest you dry start the hc alone first , the other plants are easy requirement and you can plant them anytime when you flood the tank
 
limz_777 said:
suggest you dry start the hc alone first , the other plants are easy requirement and you can plant them anytime when you flood the tank
Click to expand...

I agree, the other plants you list are extremely easy to start in a "wet" tank, I really don't see the need to start them dry.

HC is extraordinarily easy to grow in this manner, I do reccomend using plastic wrap or somesuch to hold humidity, leave a small gap for air exchange.

My terrestrial HC carpet, started with two 3X5 sheets of hc....
various1220.jpg

various1226.jpg

various1216.jpg

You'll notice some anubius nana on the far left of the embankment just under the caves, pygmy chain sword in the streambed and green & gold Loydelia on the left bank.

This tank is a 40 breeder, the hc embankment is approximately 2 feet long and varies from 11 to 18 inches wide. It took approximately 3 months to get the coverage shown in these pics. Lighting is four 23 watt 6500 k compact flourescent bulbs in metal reptile lighting fixtures. Bulbs are just regular energysaver screw in type bulbs. I did divide and replant the hc a few times but not many.

Again make sure you cover the tank with plastic wrap. Also make sure it's properly ventilated, if you don't your hc will probably start to resemble a steaming hot mess. A half inch gap between the wrap and the side of the tank should be sufficient. Mist daily until it takes off, then you can back off a little on the misting.

Glossostigma is another wonderful canidate for this method.
 
thank you all very much. how long do you think it will take? the tank is a standard 55 gal
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom