An interesting idea involving rice

[Synirr]

Recently I've been playing with the idea of making some aquariums that are as close to the natural habitat of the inhabitants as possible, and I thought...well... bettas are found in rice paddies, right? Wouldn't it be cool to have a home aquarium with rice growing in it? I dunno if it would work or not, but I'm going to do some research and would like some feedback
If it doesn't turn out to be impossible for one reason or another, I may try it!

 

[bkk_group]

sounds cool, i'm told that rice needs a lot of sun to grow though...your idea put a smile on my face though

 

[Synirr]

sounds cool, i'm told that rice needs a lot of sun to grow though...your idea put a smile on my face though

Or just a lot of lights? I have a good window I could put an aquarium in for natural sun... that'd be some great algae!
I found this article on how to grow rice, and I see no reason it couldn't be done in an aquarium, aside from the whole lighting thing. Anyone know if rice is annual or perennial? The site says

For the starter soil, I used an 8 quart bag of Country Cottage Seed Starter. Containing Sphagnum Peat Moss, Vermiculite and Limestone (pH adjuster).

Would any of this be harmful to fish? I know the limestone could be, but the vermiculite and peat?

 

[turbotiber]

Wow that sounds like a great idea! I hope you find something that'll work! Maybe you could see how it grows in the wild (rice paddies) instead of how to grow in your backyard (those extra elements could be harmful but I really have no idea) I'm sure there's something out there that'll help, good luck!!

 

[Synirr]

Wow that sounds like a great idea! I hope you find something that'll work! Maybe you could see how it grows in the wild (rice paddies) instead of how to grow in your backyard (those extra elements could be harmful but I really have no idea) I'm sure there's something out there that'll help, good luck!!

Yeah, that website was basically how to make a mini paddy in your backyard, so I think it's pretty much the same thing but on a smaller scale... which is exactly what I need!
It would be pretty neat to have a little colony of imbellis swimming amongst the stalks

 

[turbotiber]

Wow that would be so wicked!! Going outside and seeing the little paddy with your bettas Oh I'm picturing it now and I like it!! Oh yeah!

 

[wuvmybetta]

Here's the best 'how to build a rice paddy' that I've seen...

http/www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/satoyama/hillside2.html

That one seems like a lot of work though There's all kinds of links to ricey info on the bottom.

 

[cutechic]

I found this article on how to grow rice, and I see no reason it couldn't be done in an aquarium, aside from the whole lighting thing. Anyone know if rice is annual or perennial? The site says

For the starter soil, I used an 8 quart bag of Country Cottage Seed Starter. Containing Sphagnum Peat Moss, Vermiculite and Limestone (pH adjuster).

Would any of this be harmful to fish? I know the limestone could be, but the vermiculite and peat?

I think limestone raises the pH of the water, but peat lowers it because it softens the water. Maybe they'd cancel each other out. No harm in trying if you don't have any fish in the tank yet.

Good luck if you decide to try it.

 

[Synirr]

Here's the best 'how to build a rice paddy' that I've seen...

http/www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/satoyama/hillside2.html

That one seems like a lot of work though There's all kinds of links to ricey info on the bottom.

Ricey info... sounds promising
Thanks!

 

[clutterydrawer]

sounds cool, i'm told that rice needs a lot of sun to grow though...your idea put a smile on my face though

Or just a lot of lights? I have a good window I could put an aquarium in for natural sun... that'd be some great algae!
I found this article on how to grow rice, and I see no reason it couldn't be done in an aquarium, aside from the whole lighting thing. Anyone know if rice is annual or perennial? The site says

For the starter soil, I used an 8 quart bag of Country Cottage Seed Starter. Containing Sphagnum Peat Moss, Vermiculite and Limestone (pH adjuster).

Would any of this be harmful to fish? I know the limestone could be, but the vermiculite and peat?

Vermiculite I *think* is inert so shouldnt be a problem. I will check this out when my mum comes home cos she knows these things.

I'm a bit puzzled about the use of peat moss *and* limestone cos as someone said, one raises and one lowers the pH...you might wanna set it up and do some pH tests to see what the effects of the two substances are on the water.

I hope you do this, it sounds like a very interesting project and Id lvoe to see pics!

 

[Synirr]

The only problem now is that I don't have a tank to do this in or a place to put a new one
I hate having fun ideas and not being able to try them out instantly

 

[f250fisherman]

I would think there needs to be some organic matter in the water to get the rice plant to grow. Since I have no experience in growing rice, I could be wrong.The conditions of rice paddies are not very good. The show betta has come a long way from the wild bettas that live naturally in rice paddies. The thing I keep thinking about this, is to do water changes in the tank to control the ammonia, you would have to keep adding the food for the plant. I don't know if they would live long in conditions suitable for raising rice, but it is a unique idea. Keep us posted on it if you try it.

 

[Synirr]

Well, aquarium plants need fertilizer to grow as well... so I wouldn't think it would be all that different. The fish waste would provide food for the plants, just as it does for aquarium plants. I'm not sure if the idea would work either, but I don't think the dynamics of it would be very different from keeping a planted aquarium.

 

[rain-]

I did that few years back. The rice was already 20cm tall and I was about to raise the water level and then... my cats found it and well, they sorta destroyed the rice.

I was just a bit mad at them.

I believe it is duable and would look really amazing in an open tank

 

[f250fisherman]

You're probably right. I was just wondering if the rice needed more than what a reg. aquarium plant would need. They are grown in such nasty water conditions naturally, I am not sure they would grow well otherwise. Like I said, it is a unique idea and I hope someone trys it.