Updated pics-- The 5g Fern Factory

[tear-scar]

Visited my breeder friend today, and while I was there for shrimp and a tank, I also picked up some nifty plants. He asked me to take and raise a huge chunk of thin leaf java fern.

This stuff is EXPENSIVE. The going rate at pet stores in my area is $1.00 PER LEAF. This clump he gave me would be worth more than 20 bucks! So I put half in the 10g, and half in the 5g.

I also got some riccia, like it says in the desciption.

Now I've had lots of failure with this plant-- it also died on me. I always bought the stuff from the shops, and it died in my tanks because it was already so sickly, or it died outside because I hit a bad luck streak of cast-over weather with not enough sun.

This time though, it's different. The riccia I got from my friend is healthy, twined up, and PRE-SUNKEN. For those who know riccia, it normally floats. Eventually, it sinks-- like the stuff I have now.

As promised, I have some new shots from the 5g, with the riccia!!

Changed the camera setting for a darker shot:

From the side:

Close up of an ember tetra cruising over the riccia-- that tetra is 3/4 of an inch long:

 

[cometcattle]

The tank looks great!

I wish I could find some healthy riccia like yours.

 

[tear-scar]

Thanks man, I really hope it works out for me this time.

 

[tear-scar]

Alright! The stuff is pearling!

For those who don't know, pearling is when oxygen bubbles form on plant leaves. It is generally a sign that the plant is doing well.

Riccia is notorious for catching a lot of pearls in its own forks when it's doing well.

now do those belong to the hair grass or the riccia?

 

[maestro]

do you think it will be ok inder low light?

 

[tear-scar]

Floating riccia is a crazy weed-- though I've had bad experiences with it too, if it has to compete with . . . duck weed.

Sunken, riccia is much less hardy-- but mine seems to be doing really well in the 5g with 13w compact flourescent and nutrafin CO2. Hope that helps.

 

[maestro]

Ive heard its a right pain tbh...lol very messy but looks great

I have a 20 gallon with 108 watts t5 compacts and diy co2, im going to give it a go

 

[tear-scar]

Sounds to me like it should work! Tell us how it goes.

 

[George Farmer]

Excellent stuff Tear-scar!! Anyone who has seen Amano's work with Riccia cannot be helped but be impressed. Good luck with it mate. I've just bought some Eleocharis sp. (hairgrass), if it thrives well enough with my new light then I may whip out the E.tennelus and hopefully grow a nice new carpet!

 

[tear-scar]

Don't tear out the tennelus dude.

MIX 'EM!!

I will use peer pressure to make you break any conformity in your tank! j/k

I've always been a fan of mixed foregrounds. There's this guy with an amazing planted display tank at one of the LFs. His favorite thing is to make a foreground of Red Rotala indica + Riccia. The Indica grows horizontally with enough lighting, but by itself looks abit unatractive as each steam only sends up 2 or three stems towards the light. Cover the bare spots with riccia though, and the rotala will act as planting media for the riccia, and the riccia will cover the bare stems.

Result: The look of a green medow with lots of red flowers popping up in different places.

Mixed foregrounds dude!