New Method To Grow In A New Tank Without Algae

[Underwurlde]

Hmmm, After 14 days (ah, two weeks just like you Guinness) I am also seeing some small grey fluffy growths here & there. Must be a fungus or mould of some sort.

The plants themselves: The HC has grown not a jot, but looks in the same condition as when planted (all be it without the grey fluff).
The ET has gradually deterioated with yellowing leaf tips.

I suspect low light as I am relying on window light here in Britain in the winter. So I have added a flourescent light on a 12hr timer today.

Andy

 

[Guinness]

Andy

Exactly the same as me. HC is mould/fungus free, but the ET is covered with the stuff & browning more each day.Dwarf hairgrass is just looking flat & sad The only thing that is doing really well is the Java moss, but I suspect that would do well in any conditions.

It's only a very small tank but have had F lighting (albeit small wattage) on from the start for 24 hours per day.

Not quite sure what to do now - part of me says give it the month, the other part says- bugger it & fill it with water & CO2 it !!

 

[lljdma06]

Andy

Exactly the same as me. HC is mould/fungus free, but the ET is covered with the stuff & browning more each day.Dwarf hairgrass is just looking flat & sad The only thing that is doing really well is the Java moss, but I suspect that would do well in any conditions.

It's only a very small tank but have had F lighting (albeit small wattage) on from the start for 24 hours per day.

Not quite sure what to do now - part of me says give it the month, the other part says- bugger it & fill it with water & CO2 it !!

Why do you have the lights on for 24 hours a day? Unless I am misunderstanding you? Plants need darkness as much as they need the light. From what I've read, they produce the food during the day, but consume it at night. If this is correct, having lights on over plants 24/7 is kind of like starving them. They never get a chance to eat what they've produced. I could be wrong, though.

 

[plantbrain]

Folks that have done this rarely have any pest issues.
If the plants had some algae to start with, then reduce the amount of water.

Sounds like too much water and it's too cold.
Give it direct sun if you are doing things that way.

Fungus and algae should not be an issue unless you have too much water.

Good moist, saturate ADA soil works best.
I've used organic delta clays with excellent results, garden soils ought to work well too.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Azaezl]

I'm going to give this a shot in a few weeks time, I got a little 5g with a load of tanks I bought yesterday, it's currently housing 3 adf's until I get my windows replaced and shift all the tanks / inhabitants around (very long story) then it will be empty and ready for experimenting with

 

[plantbrain]

There are some rather sneaky tricks for emergent growth horticulture such as using Excel to kill anything that might grow, and using it as a spray.

I'd highly suggest, unless you want to roast and kill the plants, to use a very diluted amount of Excel mixed with water to spray the infected areas. Someone likely will not and kill their plants, well, you have been warned

So add about 20:1 water: Excel to the spray bottle.
Note: this works well for submersed plants when you do a large water changes and expose the plants to the air for a brief period also. No sniffing the spray and never get this stuff in the eyes, you will have unrepairable eye damage and blindness.

I suppose Peroxide can work the same, again, use diluted amounts and start small and test on a small area only.
Then work your way up slowly.

You kill your plants by being impatient, do not whine, you'll have yourself to blame.
You can always do several treatments over several days vs a giant sledgehammer once.
So even if it's pretty dilute, it should still work well.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Underwurlde]

OK, here's what I did:

I started with a small 5L tank & filled it to a depth of about 1" with some AquaSoil. Next to it is my pot of HC...

I then spent a great deal of time separating out plantlets of HC & unwrapping it from the wool:

I then individually planted each HC plantlet spacing them out to fill the tank. I also added some ET for good measure:

1hr later, done! Whole thing then covered in cling-film.

OK, 2 weeks later:

Image shows the 'dampness of the AquaSoil:

ET browning:

Closeup of the mould on some HC

So...
as stated, moved tank from widowsill & is now under artifcial light for 12hrs

Andy

 

[Guinness]

Don't think I am whining- just an experiment to me( no fish therefore not a problem)

24 hour lighting- I live in the UK- we don't get any lighting in November.

All I would like to know is why the fungus/ mould.

To be honest- a straight answer woud suffice.

I do have a life outside fishkeeping, so not really bothered if an answer is forthcoming.

If I knew what a hotbed of emotions this may cause I simply wouldn't have bothered.

At the end of the day, they are plants, whoopee doo.

Some of us have real lives

 

[lljdma06]

It's only a very small tank but have had F lighting (albeit small wattage) on from the start for 24 hours per day.

Then I'm dense, then, what did you mean by the above? Specifically the last part. Did you have the light on for 24 hours a day? Just trying to get to the bottom as to why the stuff has mold. That's all.

Like I said, I'm dense. Don't take offense.

 

[Underwurlde]

@Guiness: Don't take offence at what Plantbrain writes. He has a strange way of writing that instead of just giving an answer he sort of 'prods' you in the right direction. The guy is an absolute genius and in all the posts I have seen him write in he as NEVER flamed anyone and takes time to respond to newbies and experienced alike (the guy is MASSIVE on the planted scene), and if he does cause offence it is because of the subtle way he writes things like I said. Re-read what he says and see if you can unravel what he is attempting to say - it's kind of Devils Advocate backwards Q&A!

I read his comments as not being directed at anyone, just general & specific observations on what his technique is & how it applies here...

Andy

 

[Guinness]

Got bored waiting, filled with rain diluted water on Thursday. Parametres checked yesterday & were more spot on than my main 2 tanks.

However, my test Zebra danio died within an hour today. I have had these guys for years & are as tough as old boots. I was going to use it for a breeding tank for some of my killies.

Oh well, back to the old ways I suppose !!

Will clear out tank completely now & start again, rather have a spot of algae than risk losing an old friend.

Andy- thanks for your help on this.

Regards

Guinness

 

[Underwurlde]

Hey dude, no problemo.

did you fill your AquaSoil experiement tank with water and then added said Zebra danio who then died?

AquaSoil is known to give off loads of ammonia when submerged for about 3 to 4 weeks...

Andy