FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi,
I've just bought some HC (Hemianthus callitrichoides). I have no idea how to plant it. For the time being, I've planted it like glosso. Suggestions and recommendations about this plant will be greatly appreciated.
Can it be tied to rock/wood or it needs to be rooted into the substrate? I would like to keep it low, forming a carpet. Lighting is a little more than 3wpg in a 29g tank aith substrate fertilization + PMDD and DIY CO2 (two bottles). Glosso is doing good in these conditions.
Thanks in advance

Hi,
Here are a couple of sites that discuss it:

http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2006/09/hemianthus-callitrichoides.html

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/ecoquariums/plants.htm

And:

http://www.tropica.com/article.asp?type=aquaristic&id=621

It seems that you should have lots of light (3+wpg)
and hold it down to the gravel so the tiny roots can
anchor the plant down. I've found that my gravel was too
large, and the plant was not able to stay attached. The
carpet (plug) would then float up leaving a space between
the gravel and portions of the plant carpet. I had a heck
of a time and finally got rid of it and any ideas about
having a green carpet in that tank. BTW my gravel was
100 % SeaChem's Flourite.

Frank


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

Thanks very much Frank for the useful links.
Now I believe I dont have HC. It may sound funny but there was some serious ID problem. The plant I have has delicate stems, round leaves and the color is much paler green. The maximum stem size it 5cm. Looks like some miniature bacopa...Please let me know if anything comes into mind with this description, otherwise I'll post a photograph for ID.
Thanks again.

-Mughal

You might have hemianthus micranthemoides or micranthemum umbrosum all three are similar. with HC the smallest h. micranthemoides in the middle and MM the largest. I have a lot of HM and like it a lot. AKA pearlweed or pearlgrass.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

From the pics I've seen, Hemianthus micranthemoides has pointed leaves as apposed to the round ones on the plant I have.I'm pretty confident it is micranthemum umbrosum,aka baby tears.
Now, can it be grown as a foreground plant? Or I'll have to recollect all the planted stems to replant in bunches.
Matty, your expert opinion is required!
Something like this (http://www.infinitysoft.net/Reference/RefDB/Record.asp?ID=1979) can be a very attractive arrangement.

This photo should help identifying the plant.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k96/mughal113/29g/m_u.jpg

I'm pretty sure its micranthemum umbrosum. On internet, micranthemum umbrosum and Hemianthus micranthemoides are often confused. Both are called baby's tears on some places and pearl grass on the other.

If you have a big patch of it, break it up into smaller 1" X 1" patches. Make sure the substrate is smaller grained. With only a small amount of water covering the substarte, push the patches down into the substrate so that a little bit is still sticking up. Plant them an inch or two apart. Carefully fill the tank up making sure not to disturb the patches.

Light is important, but CO2 is essential IMO. With good CO2 the patches will fill in and form a carpet in a few weeks.

---

Back in the saddle!