Going planted!! Wanting a Riccia carpet, need advice

[DiscusKeeper403]

Hey guys,


I have been adding gravel slowly to my tank, I guess I'm going planted! I am dosing small amounts of ferts (tap water is high in trace elements) and using DIY C02. I have just under 3 wpg and use flourite gravel. My plants are flourishing, and my tiger lotus is pearling!

My question is, how should I go about starting my riccia carpet? Any ideas and what to tie it to? Something I can lay on the bottom of the tank on the gravel...

Any help could be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Connor

[GulfCoastDiscus]

Use a flat stone and black hair net from the dollar store.:)

[DiscusKeeper403]

Use a flat stone and black hair net from the dollar store.:)

Ahh thank you Dan, didn't even think of that. I believe a nice piece of slate should do the trick! I got a dollar store right beside my house, so I guess i'll pick up some hair net too! :D


Oh also, I am having trouble with my plants actually planting and not rooting and floating. Are lead weights okay to use in the tank?

[GulfCoastDiscus]

Ahh thank you Dan, didn't even think of that. I believe a nice piece of slate should do the trick! I got a dollar store right beside my house, so I guess i'll pick up some hair net too! :D


Oh also, I am having trouble with my plants actually planting and not rooting and floating. Are lead weights okay to use in the tank?

Use a plastic twist tie and attach the plant to a piece of stone.
Use a tong twezzer to sink the plant deep into the soil.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/GCDiscus/forcep.jpg

[Wahter]

Hey guys,


I have been adding gravel slowly to my tank, I guess I'm going planted! I am dosing small amounts of ferts (tap water is high in trace elements) and using DIY C02. I have just under 3 wpg and use flourite gravel. My plants are flourishing, and my tiger lotus is pearling!

My question is, how should I go about starting my riccia carpet? Any ideas and what to tie it to? Something I can lay on the bottom of the tank on the gravel...

Any help could be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Connor

Just remember underwater, Riccia (http://www.tropica.com/productcard_1.asp?id=001) does not naturally attach itself to surfaces the same way that java moss (http://www.tropica.com/productcard.asp?id=003) will - if you tie it down with fish line/ nylon string, you'll still need trim it or the bottom portions will die off, leaving the upper portions to float up to the surface. Even Amano periodically adds new Riccia covered rocks to his aquascapes. Some other tricks that Amano uses is having hair grass grow with the Riccia; the runners act like cords to secure portions down. Sometimes bladderwort (Utricularia) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bladderwort) is also used in a similar manner to secure Riccia down, but this plant is carnivorous and can be a pest after awhile.

One thing I've noticed is that under certain conditions, Riccia turns to a darker green form that is heavier than water and won't float. Some people don't like the way the heavier, darker form looks, but I think it looks fine. I've posted photos of Riccia here:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showpost.php?p=409838&postcount=14

Here's an article about tying Riccia down:
http://www.tropica.dk/article.asp?type=aquaristic&id=468

Hope that helps,


Walter

[DiscusKeeper403]

Thanks for the comments guys!


Honestly, I am not sure if I want Riccia anymore... Re-planting it over and over seems like too much work! Is there any other plants that would work the same way? I guess I could use Java Moss...

We got some carpet plants at work, like dwarf sag and micro sword. If that doesn't work out I will try something like that...

[Wahter]

If you want something easier, then try the dwarf sag or my favorite, Echinodorus tenellus (pygmy chain sword (http://www.tropica.com/productcard.asp?id=067) - I like the red striped variety):

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showpost.php?p=409834&postcount=11

Keep in mind, you'll eventually have to thin out the plants, because when they grow too densely, they start growing tall. At that point, you'll find out why they are called chain swords. :)




Walter

[GrillMaster]

Some have used 1/8" stainless steel wire coiled with a 1/4" between the coils to weight it down. Just make the coil a lilttle smaller than the clump of riccia. The riccia will grow where the wire wont be visible anymore.

Very easy...:)

tc
Mark

[DiscusKeeper403]

Thanks for the comments both of you!!


I go to work tomorrow, so I will see exactly what we have in. I am pretty sure we have dwarf sag and possibly the pygmy chain sword. We got another shipment of Discus in, so I definitely wont come home empty handed. :D

[marzlam791]

i had riccia it was great i loved the bubbles it made while it was underwater the only proble was that my cory kept messing with it and ended up all on the top :( i did the net thing but it still grew out but a great plant just messy

[Wahter]

Bubbly Riccia... :)

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=27745&d=1189353317

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=27746&d=1189353317

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=27747&d=1189353317




Walter

[GrillMaster]

Very nice Walter!! Gotta love the pearling! :D

tc
Mark

[DiscusKeeper403]

Looks good!! Is that floating?


We do have Pygmy Chain Swords at my work! I will pick some up in a while. I actually had some of this stuff in a planted tank I had a while back!

[jesset]

Maybe try Hemianthus 'Cuba'? That makes a really nice looking low maintenance carpet. I like it cos baby shrimp hide in it so my discus won't eat them.

[scolley]

While Conner seems to have figured out that there are other - maybe better - carpet options than riccia... I just want to post a big THANK YOU to Walter for his clear presentation of riccia. It's not easy. It's a lot of work. And when it DOES change to it's true aquatic form, it is a predator in your tank and will try to take it over. It's great - and beautiful - in an all riccia tank - one that you are prepared for a lot of maintenance in.

But in any other setting, recognize that those lovely Amano tanks are only built upon awesome amounts of maintenance, and consider other options.

It ain't the wonder plant we are so apt to believe.

My 2 cents.