5 replies to this topic

[gerald]

At the March 2 meeting of the Raleigh Aquarium Society, the speaker will be Diana Walstad. Diana will present "Benefits of Plants and Soil," describing how plants and soil working together help purify the water and the substrate in aquariums. She will have the 3rd edition of her "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium” available for sale!

 

Thursday March 2, 2017 at NCSU School of Veterinary Medicine, 7:30 - 9:30 pm.  South Theater classroom, downstairs (under the whale) just past the library.  RAS monthly meetings are free and open to anyone.

[zooxanthellae]

At the March 2 meeting of the Raleigh Aquarium Society, the speaker will be Diana Walstad. Diana will present "Benefits of Plants and Soil," describing how plants and soil working together help purify the water and the substrate in aquariums. She will have the 3rd edition of her "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium” available for sale!

 

Thursday March 2, 2017 at NCSU School of Veterinary Medicine, 7:30 - 9:30 pm.  South Theater classroom, downstairs (under the whale) just past the library.  RAS monthly meetings are free and open to anyone.

 

I literally just washed my hands after setting up a 55 Walstad, what a coincidence. I will be in Raleigh on the 1st, and will try to stretch that trip out a day, sounds like a good time!

[swampfish]

That is a great opportunity

 

After I read her book and followed her suggestions, I ceased being an aquarium plant consumer and became an aquarium plant seller. I like to say that I weed my tanks several times per year and sell the "weeds" at local aquarium club auctions.

 

I don't inject carbon dioxide or buy expensive lights, which limits me from growing some plant species, but growing the plants as she suggests in potting soil and reducing water movement to reduce carbon dioxide loss made a huge difference in my ability to grow a dozen or so plant species in aquaria. 

 

Phil Nixon

Illinois

[Casper]

What are your 12 successful easy to grow plants Mr. Nixon?

 

I like the no CO and no expensive lights.  What lights do you use?

 

I just came back from FL and at one site was stunned by the lush variety.

[swampfish]

Some plants work well for some people and not for others. I think that it has a lot to do with the water you have. For instance, I can't grow Hygrophila or water wisteria very well while others seem to have no problem. I frequently buy new plants to try and frequently distribute them in more than one tank when I buy them. Many plants don't grow well for me. Following are the ones that I am able to grow well. Most are not native. All are planted in purchased top soil.

 

2 wide spectrum T-8 bulb shop light over 12 inch deep tanks.

Italian Vallisneria, Red Tiger Vallisneria, Cryptocoryne wendtii, Najas aquarium strain

 

2 6700K T-8 bulbs over 17 inch deep tank.

Cryptocoryne pontiderifolia, Sagittaria subulata (dwarf), Amazon sword plant, ocelot sword plant, Najas aquarium strain

 

eLive LED light with 14 cartridges over 17 inch deep tank

Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia, Madagasgar lace plant (lived for 16 years, but did not reproduce), Anubias barteri, Bacopa

 

1 6700K T-8 bulb over 17 inch deep tanks.

Cryptocoryne usteriae, Najas aquarium strain, Vallisneria americana, Cryptocoryne wendtii.

 

Finnex LED light over palidarium

Ludwigia repens, Najas aquarium strain

 

From what I can tell, the Najas that is available in the aquarium hobby (aquarium strain) is thought to be the same species as southern naiad. However, southern naiad that I have have collected in Illinois, North Carolina, and Florida have all died quickly in my tanks. Najas aquarium strain grows rapidly in all of my aquaria, especially if it roots into topsoil. 

 

Good luck Casper,

 

Phil Nixon

[Moontanman]

Interesting, I wish I could have been there! I have reasonable success with Cape Fear Spadderdock and various other lily and lotus species lately.