[Wet Thumb Forum]-How long after to put under light? - El Natural

Paul Higashikawa · 03-16-2004, 02:21 AM

Diana, I am just wondering about one thing since I have recently begun to set up a low-tech tank with details much like yours. Just about how long after I set up my tank should I wait/start to turn on the light? Is there a waiting period in which you would let your plants settle in before you finally turn on the light, or do you put them near a light source right away? Thanks for the help!

Paul

Paul Higashikawa · 03-16-2004, 02:21 AM

Diana, I am just wondering about one thing since I have recently begun to set up a low-tech tank with details much like yours. Just about how long after I set up my tank should I wait/start to turn on the light? Is there a waiting period in which you would let your plants settle in before you finally turn on the light, or do you put them near a light source right away? Thanks for the help!

Paul

dwalstad · 03-16-2004, 05:51 AM

Turn lights on immediately! The best way for plants to "settle in" is for them to start feeding themselves via photosynthesis. Please don't starve your plants by not having light on.

Also, the plants need to be producing oxygen to keep their root area safely oxygenated, especially if they're in a soil substrate.

Diana Walstad

Paul Higashikawa · 03-16-2004, 06:24 PM

Diana, sorry to bug you again

I did turn the light on immediately after I read your reply. Then another question came into my mind, and that is about dosing liquid fertilizers. With potting soil as the substrate, do you still dose ferts? Or do you simply leave the plants as they are; turn on the light in the morning and turn off the light in the evening, and any other daily routine...? Thank you so much!

Paul

dwalstad · 03-18-2004, 05:14 AM

For your question about fertilizer dosing....See the "Softwater Fish in Hardwater" folder starting with my March 7 letter.

I use a light timer to turn lights on in the morning and shut them off at night.

Diana Walstad

Paul Higashikawa · 03-18-2004, 07:37 AM

Diana, thanks for the reply. However, I am kindda confused as to where I can find your Monthly Letters. So please pardon me

While on the same topic, I did go to Robert's on-line library and read your article on plants' uptake of nitrate VS. ammonium. Was that the article you told me to go read or there is really a monthly letter? Sorry for all the troubles I may have caused you.

Paul

dwalstad · 03-19-2004, 09:56 AM

No trouble at all; I like easy questions.

What I meant was my March 7 letter in the sub-folder labeled "Water Hardness and Softwater Fish", which is in the El Natural folder that you are in now. Below is URL if that will help you.

Plant Fertilizers?

Diana Walstad

Paul Higashikawa · 03-22-2004, 01:11 PM

Got it

Thank you so much, Diana! Today I finally got the rest of my plants, and I immediately planted all of them. Turned on the light as usual; new ones are R.macrandra, sunset Hygro, a Crypt lucens, L.repens wide leaf, and another Ludwigia spp. I forgot what species(got this one at Petsmart) They are planted in this 2-gal bowl, in the center. Surrounding them are hairgrass all over. Well, not all over, yet! I bought one pot of it, and so I divided it into 4 portions, planted them all around the bowl. I am hoping once they settle in they will grow to surround the plants in the center. Lighting is a 13W, 6,700K bulb. Substrate is potting soil and gravel; followed your advice. Just wanna say thank you again!

Paul