Riccia Carpet...

[showjyr]

I have heard that Riccia will sink and can start to grow on it's own without being anchored. Is this true and if so will it give a carpet effect? Also will Riccia spread?

 

[jimbooo]

sorry thats definatly not true. it always floats and need anchoring. it does grow very quickly though.

 

[SuperColey1]

I think you heard about pellia!!! which supposedly is heavire and will sink but if not tied down needs to have a virtually no current tank.

Also it will not anchor. Like the riccia it will just move with the water if there is current. Only difference Riccia will float and move, where as pellia will move around the substrate.

I have netted both my Riccia and pellia because I want them to be features rather than a top and bottom layer to the tank and also because I would have to bend down to see the Riccia whilst it stopped all the other plants from growing as it formed a 'ceiling' to the water and with Pellia, because it would end up getting caught up in plant stems in the least visible part of the tank where you wouldn't be able to see it.

Andy

 

[wei0204]

I always tie riccia on stone to anchor it... but i noticed there are a few riccia sunk at the bottom itself after floating a while on the surface, it normally turns dark green and the structure becomes harder compared to the ordinary one. I just confused with what causes this...

 

[showjyr]

I think you heard about pellia!!! which supposedly is heavire and will sink but if not tied down needs to have a virtually no current tank.

Also it will not anchor. Like the riccia it will just move with the water if there is current. Only difference Riccia will float and move, where as pellia will move around the substrate.

I have netted both my Riccia and pellia because I want them to be features rather than a top and bottom layer to the tank and also because I would have to bend down to see the Riccia whilst it stopped all the other plants from growing as it formed a 'ceiling' to the water and with Pellia, because it would end up getting caught up in plant stems in the least visible part of the tank where you wouldn't be able to see it.

Andy

Thanks for the info. Just ordered some Riccia, Pellia, and Tiawan Moss. I will also have some Java moss in there. This tank is for MTS and Cherry Red Shrimp only. Going to run 1 or 2 Nutrafin CO2 generators and a 96 watt power compact in a 30gal(US) may add a few other plants later too. Do any of the above mentioned plants need fert or will they do fine with CO2 and 3.2wpg?

 

[RadaR]

If you don't fertilise in a tank with that much light then the algae bloom will be tremendous.

 

[mlawson]

Look at jimbooos pinned topic, it shows you how to attatch Riccia and moss down.

 

[showjyr]

What would be a good fert? What ones are safe to use with my snails and shrimp? and what dossage with the plants i listed? alot to ask but never had any planted tanks before. Thanks.

 

[RadaR]

A good fert is Tropica Plant Nutrition. It's fine with shrimps and snails. 5ml every 4 days or so. I would reccomend you lose alot of that light though. Unless you added lots of fast growers and used EI (see pinned topic).

 

[showjyr]

A good fert is Tropica Plant Nutrition. It's fine with shrimps and snails. 5ml every 4 days or so. I would reccomend you lose alot of that light though. Unless you added lots of fast growers and used EI (see pinned topic).

I will also be adding a dozen or so swords, i forget what kind exactly. How much light would be a good amount i have another light strip i could use one that holds 2x65 watt PC's. could remove one bulb and use only one 65watt. What would be some good fast growers(and hard to kill) that i could put in there if i did decide to use the 96 watt hood?

 

[RadaR]

65W would be best to start with. Gently get you used to the tank and how/how much the plants use up the nutrients.

Fast growers:
Hygrophila species
Ludwigia species
Rotala species
Egeria species
Brazilian Water Ivy
Small Ambulia
Mexican Oak Leaf
Water Sprite
Hornwort

The pinned topics have so much information that will help you.