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Anyone think my Green Cambomba will make at if:

I use 2wpg for 10 hrs and up it to 4wpg in the middle of the day for 4 hrs.

Assuming co2 and other parameters are good.

My Scapes

I'm growing cabomba caroliniana (green cabomba) in my 20 long with a 20w floraglo light and it is actually thriving. I've got that Hagen running and based on my pH of 7.2 and kH of 4.48 degrees, I have about 8.48ppm of co2 in the tank, just under the recommended minimum of 10. But, it is happy and growing. I've had it about 3 weeks now, so I think it is safe to say it has taken.

It should do fine in your tank, especially if you leaving it floating. I don't think you'll need 4wpg during any period as the 2wpg should be adequate, unless it is a very tall tank, but I could be wrong. Hopefully, someone else weighs in here. It matters just how much the light must penetrate. My tank is only 12 inches deep, not like a regular 20, which is deeper. With 4wpg, you would probably want a fair amount of co2, otherwise, you'll really get loaded up with algae.

I just dropped my pieces in, with those weights at the bottom of each piece. When some shoots came out, I stripped the lower leaves that were rotting and planted that part under the substrate.

You might be interested in this



Last edited by Cory_Di at 22-Mar-2005 08:47

Thanks Cory,

I'm not floating it. Have about 7 stems staggered from back to middle. I just want to keep it full. Sometimes you see cabomba with big gaps on the stem with no leaves, but it lives.

My tank is about 20inches deep. Do you think 4wpg for 3 to hrs will affect algae growth. Assuming I have enough co2 and nitrAte.

My Scapes

Cory I read that post you sent me from Frank.
I understand he replants the top half, but does he through out the original bottom or does he leave it to grow a new top.

My Scapes

I think he leaves it. Maybe you could get into that post and ask that question

I'm a relative newb at this too, but just wanted to tell you how well my cabomba was doing. At 20 inches deep, maybe the greater light wouldn't cause an algae bloom.

Hi,
I saw my name!
Cori, Tetra is using a lighting timer system similiar to
mine. I have a 30G tank with dual compact flourscent bulbs.
I have them set on timers so that one is on for 10 hrs/day
giving me slightly over 2 wpg, and the second comes on at
10 and runs till 2 to simulate the tropical noonday sun
and ups the tank to a little over 4 watts/gallon. With
injected CO2, and dosage of various nutrients, the plants
are growing like weeds.

When I plant any of the stem plants, I take the initial
shipment, and after cleaning, I snip off the bottom
quarter to half inch to have a fresh stub in a firm stem.
Then I plant them, usually in groups of three, and leave
them sit undisturbed for a week or two. During that time
the stems begin to grow roots and anchor themselves.
Once the roots develop, the plants "take off" and start for
the surface. When they reach the surface or start to grow
across it (depending on my free time that week) I'll snip
the stem in half. I then plant the top where I want another
to grow, and leave it undisturbed. The origional plant will
either branch and grow to the surface, or heal and grow to
the surface. I continue the process over and over again.

After a while the origional group of three, become "woody"
or loose their leaves leaving leafless stalks, with nice
bushy tops. At that time, I'll pull up the entire plant,
snip off the top quarter or so,discard the bottom,
and plant the top piece. And so,the process continues...
At some point, were you to keep placing the new plants
in front of the old, the "system" progresses to the front
of the tank, and at that time, I pull it all, snip off the
top quarter or so of each stem, and restart from the back
working to the front. I've just done that with one third
of my tank. I'll see if I can't show a picture of the tank
as it is now. Oops, you can't attach a picture after the
fact. I'll have to start a new post.

Hope that helps.

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 22-Mar-2005 10:10

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi,
Here are the pictures:

Before:


FRANK attached this image:


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

And after. As you can see I've cut back everything, and
completely redone the right side as I stated in the
primary post (pulled everything, prunned, and replanted).


Frank

FRANK attached this image:


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

That really does help Frank. Thanks alot
I hope to post some pictures of my tank soon, with my thick green Cabomba.

My Scapes

Frank, is it my imagination or are stem plants a little more labor than non-stem plants? Other than the cabomba, I've been drifting away from them. I'm going to see how I like dealing with the cabomba.

Hi,
Well folks, who ever thought that having a planted tank was
simply a matter of selecting the right plants, stuffing them
into the gravel, turning on the lights, sitting back
letting the fish fertilize them, and then just watching
everything grow, is sadly mistaken.

A successfull, planted tank is alot of work. You mix
everything together, and darned if the plants don't grow!
Give them enough time, and the fish will be hard pressed
to venture from the front to the back of the tank, and
they'll have to "pack a sack lunch" to get the full way
from one side to the other! If you have a sculptured tank,
where everything fits, just so, then it requires weekly
maintenance of clipping, planting, etc. to maintain that
manicured look. If you have the "jungle" look, then you
still have to thin them out every once in a while.

Stem plants, for the most part, will practically grow before
your eyes if everything is right.
Plan on weekly "lawn work" or biweekly if you stretch it.

The problem is that soon, you will have to throw the
cuttings away, as you have given them to everyone and their
brother! That's the point I'm at. I can't just buy
another tank for the cuttings, so I toss them.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Good thoughts Frank .

I wonder what I can expect of the new plants I have coming Friday *cringes with excitement*. Now you know why I decided to give plants a try from the Easy Life packet at AZ Gardens. I mixed and matched my own.