hydrophyte

I finally made some time to hang up the Jump Start hydroponics T5 to replace the twin-tube strip lights that I had over this tank.



I think that it matches the stand in a nice way. Here's a shot showing more of the tank. The plants have grown in some more.



This light shines brighter than the aquarium strip lights that it replaces, and those each had two lamps. The Jump Start has a really good reflector. I am lighting up this tank with plenty of light for with just 54 watts, a little less than 1 watt/gallon.

a1matt

I just spent 30 min reading this thread form start to finish after finding it via a google search for 'emersed crypts'

It is a very inspiring setup. I will check back here from time to time to see how it develops

hydrophyte

thanks very much. i have some more information on my Website and here and there just let me know if any questions come to mind.

hydrophyte

I got a bloom from another new crypt today, Cryptocoryne pontederifolia.



I was pretty tickled to see that finally open this morning. I have little bit more about it in an entry on my blog.

hydrophyte

growing emersed crypts is great fun. APC is one of the best places to look for information and ask for help about this fascinating sub-hobby.

ZA_Ryan

Wow! This is a really impressive setup.

Have you grown any java fern (normal, windelov or narrow leaf) in this way? If so, did you attach it to a raft like the one you used for the anubias? Do you have any ideas on how you could do this with aquatic mosses?

Kind regards,
Ryan

EDIT: whoops, I just saw your first post again with a picture of some java fern on a raft. It took me so long to read the thread that I forgot. :P

saintly

have you ever tried growing stems in this fashion?

hydrophyte

Java fern works fantastic with the trellis raft planters--a really easy, nice-looking plant. It takes a while to adjust to emersed growth, but once it does it grows substantially faster this way than underwater. I attach the Java fern to the rafts with small plastic zip ties in the same manner as for Anubias.

I have tried quite a number of different stems. Many kinds of popular aquarium stem plants grow well this way, but the problem with many of these is that their stems are quite flimsy and without water to hold them up they are easily knocked down. Here is an example of such a plant, Polygonum 'Kawagoneum'.



Thus, when I do use these plants I include just one or two as accents and situate them among sturdier specimens which can help to hold them up.

ZA_Ryan

How do the different varieties of java fern fare when they are grown emersed? Do they all have different kinds of emersed growth?

hydrophyte

Oh sorry I missed this question from before. In general, the Java fern are extremely hardy as emersed plants. It does take a while (>1 month) for them to adjust to emersed conditions, during which time the leaves tend to shrivel up. The rhizomes remain however and grow vigorously once a few emersed-adapted leaves begin to sprout.

Last night I finally had a chance to install the shelf under this tank. I have some more detail in a DIY forum thread...

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...l-style-3.html



Now I will be able to set up the filter and other equipment.