Which plant grows/carpets faster?

gordonw

gordonw

AC Members
Nov 29, 2009
456
1
16
renton, wa
Which plant would grow faster into a "carpet", dwarf hair grass or dwarf sag? Im going to be scaping a 10g soon using one of those 2, and 2 sections with baby tears, thinking i might do a moss tree also with at least 1 piece of driftwood. The image in my head looks really awesome and ill definately post pics when i get it started, going to be a CRS tank. Substrate will be eco complete and im thinking about using some flourish products as well for plant growth.
 
Baby tears do a decent job and depends how tall of a carpet you want, micro sword isn't bad, dwarf hair grass is pretty slow, although if you want a taller "carpet" crypts can spread fairly fast ;)
 
baby tears are only going to be in 2 smaller sections, crypts would probably be a bit too tall for what i want. If the hair grass is a slower grow, ill likely go with the dwarf sag
 
dwarf hair grass and dwarf sag will require trimming to keep from being half the height of your 10 gallon. maybe not the best carpets for that size tank.

crypt parva, crypt willisii and crypt becketti "petchi" might be a better match for height... especially parva.

glosso grows quick...
 
I've got DHG growing in my 2.5g tank. Tahitian moon sand with a flourish root tab and dosing excel & comprehensive. Lighting is a 13w 8 inches above the substrate. The DHG sent out runners in early on, but has slowed down altho some of the grass itself has reached about 3-4". I think trimming may help send out more runners.

lilaeopsis brasiliensis aka micro sword may work... better carpet options in that size tank would be glosso, utricularia graminifolia, or dwarf baby tears aka hemianthus callitrichoides.

All 3 do best when using the dry start method. That is, grown emersed with only enough water to come up to just below the top of your substrate. Plant the plants in tiny clumps spaced out in a checkboard pattern. Cover the tank with plastic wrap and set your light over the top. Leave light on 8-10 hours. Mist with dechlor water (or tank water) once per day.

You will have a full carpet in 4-6 weeks. The plants will grow a very strong root system, which is good for HC which has a tendency to float up when not trimmed properly.

This method takes time, but provides superior results IMO. As you will just be starting a new tank, this could definitely be an option for you. :)
 
Micro chain swords carpet like crazy you will just need to trim them
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom