39 replies to this topic

[9darlingcalvi]

I know not many people even think about putting chara sp. in an aqaurium, but I need to grow chara so my Minnesota sand bottomed lake biotope is accurate. Dose anyone know how to grow this complex algea? Also the tank will have Iowa or Johnny darters and maybe a mudminnow

[9darlingcalvi]

Forgot to add the tank is 10 gallons

[gerald]

I have not grown Chara, but i think its needs are pretty similar to Nitella, which I've grown for years.  Moderate to high GH hardness (at least 4 dGH = 70 mg/L) helps; they dont grow well in very soft water.  Any reasonably bright lighting should be OK - cheap shop lights are fine.  Not sure how important photoperiod is for these macro-algae. 

[Sean Phillips]

I've no idea how to grow it but, it looks to be a very interesting species. Let us know how it goes if you attempt it!

[9darlingcalvi]

Okay, I have an 18" aqueon floresent plant light

[centrarchid]

High alkalinity to go with hardness.  Keep organics low.  In my ponds it drops out when temperature gets high.

[9darlingcalvi]

organics? like leaves? I also have the same light but full spectrum. here is the tank, should I keep the wood? this is the habitat im trying to replicate 

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[9darlingcalvi]

sorry dont have picture of the tank

[centrarchid]

Dissolved organic compounds like associated with over feeding.  If all goes well you should see marl deposition although that will require a lot of light without cooking the Chara.

[9darlingcalvi]

oh, do they have to have mineral deposits? would the light I have work

[centrarchid]

When water is hard and photosynthesis is going full bore you often see carbonates buildup.  I am not an expert on lighting.

[9darlingcalvi]

how many watts per gallon would someone say?

[gzeiger]

Your light should be fine if it's really a daylight spectrum bulb (generally in the range of 4-7000K rating). A 10 gallon tank is shallow enough.

 

Search the forum - I remember a topic on Chara a few years ago that was likely worth looking at.

[9darlingcalvi]

So, Iowa ir Johnny darters?

[Irate Mormon]

Personally I would go with Dylan Darters.

[9darlingcalvi]

Irate stop!!!!!! Everything isn't a joke! I want serious answers!

[9darlingcalvi]

Anyone have a preference? Besides Irate!

[gerald]

It's up to you; they're both very nice fish.  Iowas have a more color, but Johnnys are easy to get and easy to keep.

Chara (and other hard-water plants) don't NEED mineral deposits.  The CaCO3 precipitate is just a side effect of the plants removing CO2 and HCO3 ions from the water.  So really it's more like a "waste product" of the plants.

[9darlingcalvi]

okay, I think johnny darters would be my preference as I can find them easily. I was thinking 3 bunches of coontails scattered. whats the best way to plants them? wrap and tie a couple stems to a stone and then bury the stone?

[gzeiger]

Depends what species you're calling coontail. Ceratophyllum demersum is best left floating. You can anchor it any way you like to keep it in place, but buried portions will typically rot off.