Omg - I Have Pearling!

[jaarus]

I always fancied a planted tank but thought it was too much hassle to be honest.

But we got another tank and my other tanks silk plants look a bit ragged to say the least so didnt really want to waste the money on new silks for both thanks (takes a lot to make it look good) now so I thought "what the hell lets go for it"

Bought a bunch of stuff labelled as working in low light, easy to care for etc - not sure of names (dont shoot me!)
Then I read a bit more and bought some Java Ferns and some Ludwigia Repens and some tiny Crypts (not sure which)
All growing, slowly.

hmmmm......


Then upgraded the light (its begun.....) from a 15w marine light to a 55w T5 with reflector giving me 2.7 wpg that was yesterday and today I added a DIY Nutrafin CO2 and the freebie plant food that came with it (a friend is giving me a bottle of something he rates tomorrow)
Anyway saw my first CO2 bubble a few hours ago (about a minute after installing it - WAY better than the stuff that came with it)

....and now all my crypts and the java ferns are pearling!!!
So glad I switched to real plants rather than fakes.

Thanks everyone that helped me so far.
As my mini jungle is now slowly forming a plant at a time - expect me to be a regular here.
I have an empty 10g tank below this 20g long.... its just begging to be a moss cave tank!!

 

[ICEEGRL]

Do you have pics?

 

[jaarus]

I tried last night but couldnt take a good shot (kept coming out like a fuzzy green shot) but I have now read the Photo forum on how to take a piccy of a fishtank, so will try again this evening.

 

[dannowittmorris]

I tried last night but couldnt take a good shot (kept coming out like a fuzzy green shot) but I have now read the Photo forum on how to take a piccy of a fishtank, so will try again this evening.

Me too, last night I noticed it, its brilliant, well pleased more Co2 was the answer.

 

[jaarus]

Me too, last night I noticed it, its brilliant, well pleased more Co2 was the answer.

Its great - actually looking forward to get home tonight after work to see if there are still pearling or even if something else has started!!

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

sorry to kinda hijack and sound dumb but what is pearling ?

i've just brought some plants from my lfs and i have a Yeast Diy co2 injector i made from a guide on internet...

gonna post some pics tonight

 

[cheesy feet]

sorry to kinda hijack and sound dumb but what is pearling ?

i've just brought some plants from my lfs and i have a Yeast Diy co2 injector i made from a guide on internet...

gonna post some pics tonight

Pearling is when an aquatic plant takes in co2 and releases oxygen.You can see the bubbles coming out of the plants!

 

[Themuleous]

Pearling happens in high light, high plant biomass tanks, when the plants are producing so much O2 that the water gets saturated with it and so the plants get little 'pearls' of O2 bubbles on their leaves. Can look very attractive, especially on plants like riccia.

Sam