Johns 450ltr (110 Gals) Journal

[lljdma06]

I love your plant list, I just don't think you should invest much into HC or the Pogostemon until your tank is stabilized. No sense getting a lawn cover, having a major algae issue, and then have to bin everything. But, the PFK competition is coming in August, so I can understand the rush. I wouldn't have gambled. 20 pots sounds like a lot to me and very pricey.

Why get stemplants in pots? Is that something Tropica does? I usually buy stems in bunches, much cheaper that way. Are they really that much bigger in pots? Pots are also more bulky and the planting medium used often rots the stem bottoms, so you end up cutting it off anyways. Stemplants don't absorb nutrients primarily through roots, they absorb nutrients through the leaves in the water column. The primary growth axis is also at the top of the stem. They can absorb through the roots, but it is a secondary system. Roots are primarily used for anchoring. I guess buying them from pots must assure that you're definitely getting submersed growth, whereas bunches may be either submersed or emersed growth, depending on the vendor. It takes patience to deal with transitioning growth. I hear fantastic things about Tropica, though, so what do I know?

Sorry to be so picky and ask pesky questions. Good luck with your planting. I really can't wait to see it. 9 pages and still no picture of the final setup. That's pretty amazing.

llj

 

[Castellop123]

Why get stemplants in pots? Is that something Tropica does? I usually buy stems in bunches, much cheaper that way.

Tropica only sell potted (no bunches)...

 

[nry]

The Tropica pots use a rock wool that doesn't encourage the roots etc to rot, never had problems myself.

 

[john starkey]

I love your plant list, I just don't think you should invest much into HC or the Pogostemon until your tank is stabilized. No sense getting a lawn cover, having a major algae issue, and then have to bin everything. But, the PFK competition is coming in August, so I can understand the rush. I wouldn't have gambled. 20 pots sounds like a lot to me and very pricey.

Why get stemplants in pots? Is that something Tropica does? I usually buy stems in bunches, much cheaper that way. Are they really that much bigger in pots? Pots are also more bulky and the planting medium used often rots the stem bottoms, so you end up cutting it off anyways. Stemplants don't absorb nutrients primarily through roots, they absorb nutrients through the leaves in the water column. The primary growth axis is also at the top of the stem. They can absorb through the roots, but it is a secondary system. Roots are primarily used for anchoring. I guess buying them from pots must assure that you're definitely getting submersed growth, whereas bunches may be either submersed or emersed growth, depending on the vendor. It takes patience to deal with transitioning growth. I hear fantastic things about Tropica, though, so what do I know?

Sorry to be so picky and ask pesky questions. Good luck with your planting. I really can't wait to see it. 9 pages and still no picture of the final setup. That's pretty amazing.

llj

Hi llj
i love reading your replys always so indepth firsly i had a phone call from my friend ed he,s manager at the lfs the final cost for my plant order is £341. i realise i can get all these plants half the price on line but like i said i want to give this set up the best start i can,illj, If you saw a pot of tropica plants i assure you that you would be impressed, it is rare that they are not top notch and i think they are worth the money. i am now spending most evenings reading Takashi amano aqua journals about planting and trimming techniques these books are so good, the expectancy and suspense is even getting to my neighbours they keep popping round to see if i have planted it and filled it with water, i am also glad to see i have most of you on tender hooks too . all the best john

 

[john starkey]

Hi all,final preparations being made saturday with equipment ready for plant ordering on monday,plants will arrive thursday i will plant them all on the same day and post some pics if i have the energy thanks for all the advice so far regards john

 

[mindscape100]

Hi all,final preparations being made saturday with equipment ready for plant ordering on monday,plants will arrive thursday i will plant them all on the same day and post some pics if i have the energy thanks for all the advice so far regards john

The setup really does look top drawer!! Ive just finished Uni and am currently still on the Job hunting program. But once I am working I can guarantee Ill be getting a larger tank. If your going to spend a lot of money you might as well get the best you can afford otherwise you only end up being dissapointed with it later on I guess. Anyway I look forward to seeing your plants etc. From your list Im sure it going to look great. Does the place you got the tank have a website by the way no harm in looking I guess. I need to start convincing our lass sooner or later

 

[Themuleous]

All sounds very promising John, as said 20 pots of HC will be fun!

Looking forward to the pics

Sam

 

[john starkey]

Hi all,final preparations being made saturday with equipment ready for plant ordering on monday,plants will arrive thursday i will plant them all on the same day and post some pics if i have the energy thanks for all the advice so far regards john

The setup really does look top drawer!! Ive just finished Uni and am currently still on the Job hunting program. But once I am working I can guarantee Ill be getting a larger tank. If your going to spend a lot of money you might as well get the best you can afford otherwise you only end up being dissapointed with it later on I guess. Anyway I look forward to seeing your plants etc. From your list Im sure it going to look great. Does the place you got the tank have a website by the way no harm in looking I guess. I need to start convincing our lass sooner or later

hi shifty, wharf aquatics have a web site but i dont know how to provide you with a link, (still learning the virual world) just type in whareaquatics.co.uk regards john

All sounds very promising John, as said 20 pots of HC will be fun!

Looking forward to the pics

Sam

Hi sam welcome to the world of the married man i tell you what sam planting this lot is gonna do my head in by the sounds of it i am going to rope the wife in (she doesnt know that) regards john

 

[Themuleous]

Cheers

How do you think you'll plant the HC? Clumps or individual stems? I know it normally takes new between 1 and 2 hrs just to do a single pot, would think clumps might be the way forward for you!

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

Impressive so far, John. Good luck with the planting. This is where it really counts now....

My top tip - don't rush it. You've spent a lot of time, effort and money coming this far so take as long as you need to plant each stem etc. exactly where and how you want. Believe me, after a few hours the temptation will be to "just stick them in anywhere, anyhow...."

 

[Dave Spencer]

That is some good advice from George.

Walk away from the job and have a coffee (or something stronger) when you start aching or start to lose your rag. If you can`t get the job done in time, just float the rest of the plants, or leave them in their baskets and carry on the following day.

Dave.

 

[john starkey]

Cheers

How do you think you'll plant the HC? Clumps or individual stems? I know it normally takes new between 1 and 2 hrs just to do a single pot, would think clumps might be the way forward for you!

Sam

Hi sam, i may just split each pot into two clumps if they are good size pots, i dont fancy planting individual stems, ed at aquajardin planted his in clumps ( 30 pots)and he recommend i do the same,i am going for a carpet effect from front to back through the middle starting at a wide angle from the front, the sides will be built up with eco-complete and the wood on top and the other plants around it with some java moss attached to the wood. hopefully this will give me a concave or u shape. regards john

 

[john starkey]

Impressive so far, John. Good luck with the planting. This is where it really counts now....

My top tip - don't rush it. You've spent a lot of time, effort and money coming this far so take as long as you need to plant each stem etc. exactly where and how you want. Believe me, after a few hours the temptation will be to "just stick them in anywhere, anyhow...."

Hi george, thank you for the advice i am quite a patient person so hopfully i wont get frustrated when the plants keep floating back up. as you say i have waited this long to get it right now this is the most important part i will keep your advice in my head as i plant. thanks for all the help regards john
ps: foregot to mention i am going to start off my lighting period at about 7hrs a day and see how it goes,do you think this is a good idea? thanks

 

[john starkey]

That is some good advice from George.

Walk away from the job and have a coffee (or something stronger) when you start aching or start to lose your rag. If you can`t get the job done in time, just float the rest of the plants, or leave them in their baskets and carry on the following day.

Dave.

hi dave, if i cant get the planting done in the same day can i leave the plants in a shallow tray and tap water or should i leave them out of water. on second thoughts i think i will keep going until i finish regards john

 

[George Farmer]

You have Arcadia overtank 4 x 54w HO T5 right?

I would keep the total photoperiod for 10 hours but adjust the qty. of tubes.

i.e. for first 2 weeks - 4 hours 2 tubes, 2 hours 4 tubes, 4 hours 2 tubes

Then gradually build-up the 4 tubes on to a max. of 8 hours with 2 tubes on 1 hour start and end. Say over a 3 month period.

Hope that makes sense. Basically you're gradually increasing intensity as plants adapt and algae is less likely.

As for planting, I keep all new plants in a bucket full of water whilst planting. Take care in separating the plant roots from the rock wool and pots. Cut them away if you need to.