Red

[r.w.girard]

Journal Entry 1: May 13, Day 2

Yesterday, I put the soil into the tank and scaped it as planned before covering it with a thin layer of sand black sand and adding some smooth, small black stones to break up the scape. I then moistened the soil and let it sit overnight.

This will be my first try at a dry start. In fact, this will be my first try at a real planted tank.

This morning, my plants arrived. I planted the Hemianthus callitrichoides front and center on low ground. Along the back ridge are three Echinodorus tenellus. On the right, on high ground, a Crytpocoryne Wendtii var. "red", which I hope will grow quite large and imposing. On low ground, along the left, I intend to plant Hygrophila corymbosa. These latter, I intend to plant first in my main aquarium for a few weeks until this tank is better settled, as I understand they grow quickly. I will put them in two weeks before "flooding" the tank.

Inhabitants will include a small colony of Neocaridina heteropoda var. "red" and a Neritina natalensis.

My goal is heavily planted 2.5 gallon low tech, low maintenance, with neither heating nor filtration.

Tomorrow, I will post pictures.

 

[r.w.girard]

Journal Entry 2: May 14, Day 3

The tank:

Detail:

Tomorrow I intend to clean up the plants a little and will post another picture then. Maybe then there will be less humidity on the glass.

 

[bae1994]

Looks cool

 

[CrazyAirborne]

good start

 

[r.w.girard]

Journal Entry 3: May 19, Day 8

I have decided against the Hygrophilia corymbosa, it just looked too scraggly and not nearly as controlled as I imagine the tank to be[come]. Therefore, it is gone from the plans. As per several recommendations, I thinned out the Hemianthus callitrichoides and put the extra in my main tank [pictures can be found in the journal linked below].

Since deciding not to use the hygrophilia, I now have to find a replacement to fill in the left side. I am considering a second Cryptocoryne wendtii var. red or some Sagittaria sublata. The latter I can take from my main tank eventually, since I doubt if it can grow emmersed, as it seems unable to support itself without ambient external water pressure. Although, any suggestions could be greatly appreciated. I am looking for something "clean," "tall," and "dense."

Also, as I posted elsewhere, my Cryptocoryne wendtii var. red has been melting, the extent of which can be seen below.

Lastly, Bae, CrazyAirborne, I just wanted to thank you both for you comments. Your kindnesses are much appreciated.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

are u not filling it up with water for a specific reason? dont aquatic plants need to be in water? hope all turns out well for u!

 

[bae1994]

Looks great

To above you can get good growth from growing some plants emmeresed and they become well rooted

 

[ian]

this does and will look good when grown in, i would add some other kind of hardscape though, i think that will just make it outstanding. Even if its a couple more bigger rocks and you go a little iwagumi or if its a piece of redmoor. The HC is better spread out as well

 

[r.w.girard]

Are you not filling it up with water for a specific reason? Don't aquatic plants need to be in water?

To above you can get good growth from growing some plants emmeresed and they become well rooted.

I am attempting a dry start. Some aquatic plants [including all of those in the tank] have an emergent form. The benefit of growing emersed [that is out of water] is that CO2, which is often the limited factor in aquatic growth, is obviated. But, of course, it is important the plants well hydrated. So this is especially helpful in low-tech, tanks that want to have generally hard to grow plants like Hemianthus callitrichoides without carbon and strong light.

This does and will look good when grown in, I would add some other kind of hardscape though, I think that will just make it outstanding. Even if its a couple more bigger rocks and you go a little iwagumi or if its a piece of redmoor. The HC is better spread out as well.

An interesting thought. I COULD replace the left, hypothetical plant with a rock or driftwood. And a cool arching, spidery root system would be awesome. Tell me, does Redmoor float? And, can it be found in the US? I did a quick search on the interligne and found nothing that did not end .co.uk. Mopani is not too hard to find out here but that will dye the water pretty dark and I would prefer not to have to deal with tannins. At which point, stone would be the best bet. But I would need something awesome. Awesome and dark. I'll think about it.

-Robin

 

[mini_matt]

Sounds like a good plan to me! I think some nice rock like a few bits of slate would look great built up a bit just off centre with some hc between the rocks