Hey Darrel, sorry to break up the tomato party between you and foxfish but I have some news regarding my tank!
🙂 lol (Just kidding guys - I feel honoured that two of the most respected UKAPS members are posting so much in my journal).
🙂
So today I actually managed to get some planting done! It's so exciting for me; the first time I've touched an aquarium plant since May last year.
It's also my first ever attempt at attaching mosses using the 'blender' method. Here's what I did...
1. Put the moss into a plastic jug. Here I am using a mix of Riccardia chamedryfolia and Fissidens fontanus with a 4:1 ratio of Riccardia to Fissidens. I have decided not to use weeping moss at the moment. The idea between mixing the species is to hopefully create a more natural effect as the different textures merge.
2. Add a blob of greek yoghurt to about 100ml of RO water and mix.
3. Add the yoghurt solution to the plastic jug.
4. I used a hand-held blender to chop up the Riccardia/Fissidens.
5. The result is a green liquid containing millions of tiny pieces of moss.
moss paste by
George Farmer, on Flickr
6. I use a paintbrush to attach the moss to the wood and rocks.
moss brush by
George Farmer, on Flickr
The result looks quite effective, I think.
moss closeup by
George Farmer, on Flickr
moss close2 by
George Farmer, on Flickr
moss complete by
George Farmer, on Flickr
The tank is covered with polythene (awaiting a custom-built cover glass) and have set my heating mat so there's a relatively constant 21C air temperature inside. The soil is slightly warmer. Room temperature is 18-20C.
The photoperiod has been set to 14hrs, with 2hrs ramping up and down at end of the period, so 10hrs at max intensity (<=80 PAR).
I will leave the tank covered for the first week.
Then I will fit my cover glass so a small air gap can encourage some gas exchange, as recommended by Mr Barr.
I happened to find a bottle of "Do!Aqua Be Bright" in my garage so am considering using this to spray the plants.
be Bright, do!aqua liquid additive for growing plants emersed
Tomorrow I plant the remaining plants (mainly hairgrass and some stems).