Pearling

[Plecostomos Fan]

I see but what causes pearling??

 

[StandbySetting]

It's the oxygen released from plants via photosynthesis, the oxygen can no longer dissolve due to the water surrounding the plant being saturated in oxygen, either that or the oxygen is being produced faster than it can dissolve into the water, so an excess builds and forms bubbles.

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

It's the oxygen released from plants via photosynthesis, the oxygen can no longer dissolve due to the water surrounding the plant being saturated in oxygen, either that or the oxygen is being produced faster than it can dissolve into the water, so an excess builds and forms bubbles.

Thanks Standby, but what is the catalyst?, this is not usual behaviour for plants, I've never seen this in my tank? I could quess at a good dosing of Co2? my drop checker is more of a dark green so do I need to increase the flow of my Co2?

 

[ian]

its done by the rate of photosynthesis, dosing C02 puts more demands on your plants. It's not all about C02 though, you need to add the other elements to tank IE, NPK. As above, the faster the growth the more pearling will be done. In a high tech tank pearling shows that things are going well, pearling is what used to be used before drop checkers became the thing to monitor C02.

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

its done by the rate of photosynthesis, dosing C02 puts more demands on your plants. It's not all about C02 though, you need to add the other elements to tank IE, NPK. As above, the faster the growth the more pearling will be done. In a high tech tank pearling shows that things are going well, pearling is what used to be used before drop checkers became the thing to monitor C02.

Thanks ianho, I am a complete novice with Co2 and I'm trying by best to catch up, so I am asking a lot of dumb questions sorry about that, so can you please tell me what the letters IE & NPK actualy are?

 

[StandbySetting]

NPK are the 3 macro nutrients plants require (Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium), there are two other quite vital nutrients Magnesium and Calcium, and then there are 12 other trace nutrients (Micro's), however a good all in one fertiliser will have all of these in, Ca and Mg are normally included with the trace elements.

And I think Ianho meant EI? It stands for Estimated index and is the dosing of dry ionic salts to provide plants with the nutrients they require.

 

[ian]

sorry, i meant ie as in 'id est', 'That is'. Sorry for the confusion.

As SBS states the elements are all crucial to pearling, but also flow around the tank plays a big part as well. If the C02, micro and macros are not being evenly distributed, then you will fail to get pearling.

 

[aaronnorth]

The reaction for photosynthesis if it helps;

6CO2 + 6H2O => C6H12O6 + 6O2
(Carbon Dioxide + Water => Glucose + Oxygen)

Now you can see why oxygen bubbles are produced.

this is not usual behaviour for plants, I've never seen this in my tank?

Plants are constantly producing oxygen as I'm sure you know, its just as said above, O2 is being produced faster than it can dissolve or the water is saturated so no more O2 can dissolve in the water.

dosing C02 puts more demand on your plants.

What do you mean by this?
CO2 doesnt demand anything, your plants demand CO2, this demand is affected by the light intensity.

Thanks, Aaron

 

[ian]

Using C02 ensures you'll need to up your fert regime (N+P), hence putting more 'demand' on your plants/or your plants making those 'demands' by becoming deficient. Let's keep things simple !

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

Thanks for all the info guys, I am actualy dosing with ferts which came with the Co2 kit but I've read that Easy Carbo is a good one to use.
I also have a Hydor Koralia Evolution Circulation Pump and interior filter and also exterior filter.
I am greatful to you as I am learning all the time.

 

[lljdma06]

Easy carbo is just liquid carbon. If you're already dosing CO2 why do you need that? Sorry, I'm probably confused.

Unless your CO2 is unstable and you are supplementing?

 

[snowflake311]

To get my plants to Pearl I keep my DIY co2 pretty fresh. I change it every week or as soon as it slows down it is changed. The few days before I change it I add Excel the liquid Carb. That helps when my DIY co2 is fading out. The only Ferts I use are Iron, Nitrogen, and flourish that has a mix of differant trace elements. Thoes ferts with good CO2 get the plants to perl for me. High light is also KEY. More light means faster growth. Faster Growth = lots of O2 being made by the plants. Like I said the faster growing plants pearl a heck of a lot more then slow growers. My Java moss only perls after a water change and that does not realy count. My Anubias barly ever pearls.

 

[StandbySetting]

I'd just like to add that you don't necessarily need a high light set up to achieve pearling, my Microsorum pearls every night at from about 6PM onwards, I guess the metabolism of the plant plays a big part also.

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

Snowflake, I've been looking on the net to find a fert with iron and nitrogen,I have found this, APF Liquid Plant Nutrition which contains nitrogen,potassium,phosphorus(NPK)
You also say you use flourish,I take it you dont mean flourish excel because I thought this was used to reduce algae.
I would estimate my tank lights are on for about 16 hours per day.

 

[lljdma06]

Snowflake, I've been looking on the net to find a fert with iron and nitrogen,I have found this, APF Liquid Plant Nutrition which contains nitrogen,potassium,phosphorus(NPK)
You also say you use flourish,I take it you dont mean flourish excel because I thought this was used to reduce algae.
I would estimate my tank lights are on for about 16 hours per day.

You gotta cut your photoperiod PF. 16 hours is way too long. Half is much better.

Liz