Re: NeilW's 30cm nano - "Mono" [Planted 25/05/10]
Garuf said:
DSM really relies on temperatures a lot, If you can place it somewhere warm and with good sunlight and you'll get better growth than you would with flouro. 6hours is what I start with typically, you can go as low as 4 if needs be, just depends on how easy you want to take it.
Fortunately the temp at the moment is rather warm thanks to our unusually sunny weather
Last time I used the DSM was in the depths of winter! I'll try move it to a more sunny spot though, cheers.
I knew the minimum that plants respond to was 4 hours but was never patient enough to limit it that much . I think I'll go for 6 hours.
Thanks Garuf
George Farmer said:
I think run the DSM for as long as it takes for the plants to mature to a degree where you're happy... Only you can decide that - whether it takes 1 month or whatever. I've no experience of DSM yet, so am not really qualified to say much more.
Last scape I had run with the DSM for a month but I think this may take longer to get some decent growth from the moss. I think as you say I'll have to see how it goes...maybe I need more patience
.
You should definitely try using the dry start at some point, I think it would work great for a few of your 'scapes (for example your new Glosso-carpet acrylic cube). Most examples I've seen it used from the Barr Report are for carpeting plants such as Glosso and HC but I've found it even works well for less obvious species. Got quite a few benefits to it too.
George Farmer said:
When it's filled will you be running CO2? If not then you may need a longer photoperiod. 11w over 17 litres is low-moderate light so longer photoperiods may be necessary, in my experience.
I won't be running CO2 at all, possibly only a small dosage of liquid carbon at the start to help adapt the emersed growth (but this would be very sparing due to having both Crystal Red shrimp and Pellia). Thats interesting to hear that I would need
more light with no CO2 - I thought the extra growth from the extended lighting period would result in a carbon deficiency and then algae? My intention was to start at 6 hours but eventually up it to 8 once it was all settled down. Would this be enough from what you've experienced? I've always held back on the lighting so this could be novel to break the 8 hour limit!
George Farmer said:
What lighting are you using for the DSM?
Currently its under a 20w halogen desk lamp.
Anymore feedback from your vast experience welcome George
For me my tank has always been a good excuse to be a learning-sponge.
youngstud said:
Its lovely stuff!
I also realised that the plant that I'd previously bought thinking it was Parva was actually Cryptocoryne Willisii ! The colour change and size gave it away. Thats good to know that Parva stays small for a long time though as my intention is to have some in front of the Willisii. 
