Growing Dwarf Hairgrass Issues

[iroc]

So everything in my tank seems to be doing GREAT since the CO2 was added. However the Eleocharis parvula is not carpeting as much as I hoped it would. In fact there seems to be areas which would be new carpeting which are kinda growing up instead of out ( see pic)

notice in the front how the stems are kinda flooting in mid air?

 

[Themuleous]

Dwarf hairgrass can be very tricky to grow even with lots of light and CO2. Without being harsh the substrate you've got looks suitable too, being of a large size.

Unless you want to give it more light, Co2 and a plant substrate you'll probably find it doesn't do very well.

Sam

 

[iroc]

Dwarf hairgrass can be very tricky to grow even with lots of light and CO2. Without being harsh the substrate you've got looks suitable too, being of a large size.

Unless you want to give it more light, Co2 and a plant substrate you'll probably find it doesn't do very well.

Sam

As far as light I have 5.5wpg which I thought is almost TOO much light. the CO2 I don't think I could increase without getting a tank since I am using a nutrafin unit with the boards mixture ( 1tsp of yeast, sugar to 1st line, warm water)

When I bought it it cam in this little wire basket

like a 2 sided version of this

I simply pushed the whole grate into the substate (per the LFS guys advice) should I have, or should i now actually remove it from the grate and plant a different way?

 

[George Farmer]

Ideally you should plant HG directly into the substrate. As Sam suggests your grain size may be too large though.

Are any plants shading the HG?

 

[iroc]

Ideally you should plant HG directly into the substrate. As Sam suggests your grain size may be too large though.

Are any plants shading the HG?

Well I guess I can't do anything the substate.....Cuz I don't want to change it again



Nothing is shading it as you can see in the pic below.

 

[Themuleous]

Sorry, but it sounds like it doesn't like the substrate, so you might struggle. You could just add some in the areas where the hair grass is? Easier than replacing the whole substrate.

Sam

 

[iroc]

So that brings up a good question. If I wanted to add something like sand but just in certian areas how you you seggust doing that, here are my concerns?

1. My substate is pretty deep 3-4" should I remove say 2" from the area in which I want to add sand, and then refill with sand giving me a even bottom but with 2 different looks?

2. I thought last night about using a gravel vac only in reverse to put in sand. I would fasen a funel to the hose and then relase the sand inches away from where I wanted it, do you think that would work?

3. Last question is what is another opition for a carpeting plant that WOULD work with my substate

 

[WookiellMonster]

If you want your Dwarf Hairgrass to spread and send runners you should try to split that clump up, which will promote growth and send runners out.

 

[iroc]

seems like everyone else is saying that it's not just a matter of breaking up the clump but that the substrate is wrong, have you had succus growing it in this type before?

 

[JamesC]

I brought a bit which was a lot smaller than what you have. I broke it up into lots of smaller bits and planted it straight into the substrate. After 2 months it has spread and filled in all the gaps. The photo in my sig is what it looked like after 2-3 months planting. I just use plain quartz sand as my substrate which isn't really like sand at all but a fine gravel.

James

 

[iroc]

I brought a bit which was a lot smaller than what you have. I broke it up into lots of smaller bits and planted it straight into the substrate. After 2 months it has spread and filled in all the gaps. The photo in my sig is what it looked like after 2-3 months planting. I just use plain quartz sand as my substrate which isn't really like sand at all but a fine gravel.

James

yea thats what everyone seems to be saying is my substrate isn't really the right type for this