Growing a Carpet

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donaldastwood

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 10, 2007
110
0
0
New York
Hi,
I need some advice :confused: on growing a carpet on the bottom of my planted tank.
I currently have 2 species of carpet plant, (Dwarf Hairgrass and Brazillian Micro Swords) But they refuse to grow into a carpet and are continually getting up-rooted? Does anyone know how to keep the stuff at the bottom while waiting for it to root?:feedback:

I use eco-complete substrate, CO2 Reactor, (Light)fertiliser, more than ample light and weekly water changes(Followed by re-dosing with fert).

Also does anyone know if Hair grass will grow whilst floating in the water and not anchored in the substrate?
 
Are the fish uprooting them?
 
Ive Been told the same problem happen to be from the fish. Did they come in little white bins? the two i picked up for my tank came in this little white bin about a inch high and i just had to sprinkle a little gravel on them. But the fish might be the problem
 
It could be the fish as i do have 3 Corys, 6 Ottos and 1 CAE as my clean up crew. But if they are the cause how can i anchor? I have the metal strips that you get a LFS but they dont work great.
 
evercl92;1151516; said:
Could you be more specific, ie type of lighting (fluorescent, CF, T5) and wattage? Also, what size tank (well, depth being what I'm looking for here).

I had issues with the same, yoyo loaches were my problem.
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Ok I have 2 17Watt Tropic Sun T8 Bulbs that run on automatic 12hr Cycles, with about an hr every morning and evening with just 1 bulb lit to simulate dusk and dawn.

My tank is 18 to 20inches deep. (Im not at the tank now, so this is my best guess) but it is a long Hex tank with quite a long front compared to most Hexes that i have seen.
 
evercl92;1153293; said:
Cories and otos shouldn't be a problem. CAE are a PIA anyway, and I find them just about worthless.

2 17wt NO fluorescent lights aren't going to grow foreground plants very well at all, at that depth.
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unless your tank is 3 gallons big. u need more lighting if u want to grow your carpet in well. keep your c02 levels at 30ppm or so maintain regular dosing as provided and make sure u plant them an inch or two away from each other. in about 2-3 weeks u'll get a nice looking carpet of hairgrass. at least, that's how i did it :D
 
iORi;1153618; said:
unless your tank is 3 gallons big. u need more lighting if u want to grow your carpet in well. keep your c02 levels at 30ppm or so maintain regular dosing as provided and make sure u plant them an inch or two away from each other. in about 2-3 weeks u'll get a nice looking carpet of hairgrass. at least, that's how i did it :D
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:mwave:

I like that thought.. I will re-invest in some more powerfull lighting.
Any suggestions on types of lighting?
 
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