River Valley - Planting Stage

Next the plant…

Aquatic plants can soften the visual impact of the rocks, so they can be used to create a harmonious balance within the aquascape.  Low growing plants can be used to accentuate the details of a rock arrangement.  Planting low growing plants in between the rocks or next to them to enhance the natural effect, but make sure to use low growing plants that will not obscure the structure of your Iwagumi.  I will be using …

 

Hemianthus micranthemoides (Pearl grass) for background.

Eleocharis acicularis (Hairgrass) for middle ground in between the rocks.

Glossostigma elatinoides (Glosso) for foreground.

 

Planting Stage

Getting the plant ready…

 

Planting in progress.

 

 

And this is the setup after planting.

 

Life of a urban farmer… backaches!!!

 

Planting Tips

We aqua folks have found that it is very useful to fill the aquarium with only an inch or two of water when planting them, to reduce the effects of refraction, or to dampen the substrate and then plant them into the substrate without adding any water first – but make sure that you continue to dampen the substrate and the plants with a mist of water whilst planting, and continue to do so regularly until the aquarium is filled with water.

  

I find that the LED light looks dim so added existing 36w x 2 PL light.  Lighting is set at 8 hours a day.

 

After setup.

Mixed some water from the old tank to speed up the bacteria grow.  Now waiting for the bacteria to bloom (cloudy water).

 

And now we wait for the water to stablise.

 

Week 1:

The HM are all melted! Cleared up the mess and add more Japanese hairgrass.  The next day the algae crew is hungry for action.  Some existing shrimps added.  Will add more provided I can net them.

 

 Week 2

 

I will update the tank as the progress develops...