Growing dwarf baby tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides)

L

louxrs

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Jul 15, 2011
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I saw this tank in youtube with beautiful HC carpet. I instantly wanted one of my own, but after doing my research theres alot of conflicting ideas posted. So I wanted to ask any successful grower of the plant, or anyone knowledgeable in this forum for some tips.

I'm gonna use my 20g (tall) for it.
Last night I ordered:
*eco-complete substrate (black)
*New lighting fixture (http://www.petstore.com/ps_viewitem...se&utm_campaign=pscseggl2&utm_content=CU01127)
**Can I keep the bulbs that come with it or should I buy new ones?
*5 potted HC from ThePlantedAquarium.com

Questions:
1.) Do they need CO2? If so will a DIY co2 system be sufficient enough?
2.) Do they require high current/agitation?
3.) Are my new substrate and lighting good enough?
4.) What else do I need to properly grow them?

*Any input is appreciated! Thanks!
 
IMHO you are going to have way too much light on top of that tank. YOu will want EI dosed ferts and pressurized co2 and then hope that you dont have to battle algae. If you can run only one bulb you should be ok or hopefully the one bulb is of a useless kelvin rating.
 
Been kind of curious myself. I had some right now that are surviving, but they aren't carpeting for me. I've had it set up for over 3 weeks now. HC is green, but no growth (seen some people with crazy growth in a couple of weeks). I just started dosing a couple of weeks ago with API Plant Booster twice a week, 7 hours of light, and I have a CO2 system. Hope I'm not hijacking...figured we're in the same boat.
 
From what I have read, baby dwarf tears need high light and high co2. I am 100% sure DIY co2 would cut it. I must admit that I may be wrong.
 
Well I got my DIY co2 producing 1 bubble/sec, which goes to a glass diffuser (VERY tiny bubbles). I think thats plenty- besides I dont have much agitation. My tank is filled to the point where my HOB filter doesnt create a waterfall.
I have eco-complete, and use flourish once a week. On top of that I ordered a ton of fert tabs coming tomorrow.
 
Light is not too much especially for HC in a 20g Tall tank.. Ive seen people run 55-65w bulbs over their 20g tanks and get the desired growth and color in their plants.
And as someone already stated above, this plant is big on CO2. DIY may cut it but it all depends on how large is your diy mix (how many bottles?), how consistent is the output, how good is the diffusion and most of all what filter are you using (HOB filters will make the diy co2 pointless). You can get a drop checker with Valid 4dkh solution to check your co2 levels in the tank.

And obviously if you have the light and co2 running you need a good daily schedule for fertilizer. You can start off with the flourish line if you are new to ferts (get Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and trace) and then when you got the hang of things you can move on to dry.

Another tip is to not have any fish in the tank for the first week or two of growing this plant. This way you can attempt to really up the co2 in the tank and not worry about fish gasping. Also not worry about fish uprooting the plants as well.
 
Fastest way to produce a carpet is to grow it emersed on a sunny windowsill.
 
SubRosa said:
Fastest way to produce a carpet is to grow it emersed on a sunny windowsill.
Click to expand...

Never tried it myself but I would say that this would make the most sense. There's virtually no limit to atmospheric CO2...
 
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