Submerging Riccia

[Sime]

I've had riccia floating for ages now but its always gets in the filter and all over my arms and in the plants and everywhere..... ughg!

Tonight I had a go at submerging it (only a little bit) - here are some pics, looks very nice and is in direct light......

 

[The Sandman]

wahey! submerged riccia is always gd IMHO. gd job.

 

[Sime]

ive always floated it but im amazed how its looked so bright and professional as soon as it was anchored down.

im hoping it will do well so i can get a few more like above all over the floor

 

[Mr Miagi]

COuld you give me the run down on how u achieved it and what materials you used please!

By the way its lookin grand!

 

[jimbooo]

be prepared for a lot of maintenance.

i started off with this amount 6 months ago

and now i have this (and thrown away at least 1/2 as much again)

one thing i have learned along the way is not to make the submerged bit too thick. riccia is made up of hundreds of tiny plants that tangle together to make the cushion like structure. however the plants are not actually connected hence each bit needs its own light, nutrients etc..

if you make it too thick the bits at the bottom get no light and rot, after a month you'll have a big mess in the tank.

it's a bit like laying 5 garden lawns on top of each other, the only one that will live is the top layer.

not sure how you attached the riccia to the weight but transparent nylon hairnets are perfect.

hope thats usefull.

 

[Sime]

hiya,

it is a little thick but i found that out once it was in

i got 3 lead weights, some clear air pipe and a hair net. just put the riccia in that and sunk it pushing the weights into the gravel.

i hope it grows a lot as i could do with a lot more!

 

[jimbooo]

if your co2 is sorted then brace yourself. in 2 weeks it will double in size but the new bits will float to the surface. make sure they dont cut out the light to the tank. then make another one and on and on.....

 

[Sime]

ok... tonight ill thin it out, i think i can make another one or two out of that..... will post pics when done