[ronnie]

I’m late to the game on this post, but wow! I’m loving the set up.

Concerning the diatoms and algae, wouldn’t more plants keep them at bay (as well as some shrimp/snails?

Or even growing a pothos plant in the water. Letting the roots grow in the water and the leaves hanging over the outside.

Dont quote me on it, but in my opinion adding another soil pot with more plants seems like it would be helpful? I always have a diatom and other algae outburst in newly set up tanks, but once plant growth takes off the algae begins to disappear.

I’ve not seen anyone else comment too much on that, so maybe I’m off in my thinking.

Edit: Also, if you’re concerned you overdid it with the root tabs, maybe it’s worth removing it and watering it in the sink multiple times (assuming you have a hole in the bottom. In house plants this is known as “flushing” the soil to rid it of any excess salts or fertilizers. If there is a hole in the pot, basically just run water over the plant until you see water escaping from the hole. (And repeat). Then you could return it.

 

[ronnie]

No worries on the snails. They have great benefits in their own way, but start a colony of of shrimps. They’re fun to watch dart around and they help process excess algae or fish waste.

Another thought is to add an emergent plant. I’ve always loved images of umbrella plants (or maybe it’s umbrella palm...) growing out of a tank.

And hell, if you have more bamboo stick them in there. You can always take them out if needed, but in my experience they grow wonderful root systems in a tank (especially submerged soil). I have 3 in my 12g.

I’m really excited about your approach. Sorry for all the ideas, I’m just currently living vicariously through your project, haha!

Oh! One last thought. What about some Java Ferns? You can attach them to anything, or let them float until they anchor on something. They should not be planted, can survive in lower light, but help with water quality.

And one more second last thought... have you seen “moss walls?” Essentially you take two mesh screens (such as the plastic flexible ones used in crafts), spread Java moss on one layer, then cover it with the other layer. Eventually it will grow out and cover the screen. And since it’s flexible, you could contour it to the shape of your pot along the side. Shrimp would love this too.

Edit: because this post isn’t long enough already... I don’t have tons of experience with lily’s, but in my opinion I wouldn’t split it until the plant has some good solid growth. That way it has some extra strength to help it recover after splitting.

 

[ronnie]

Things are looking good! And I’m glad the extra plants are doing their job. I find that I’m throwing out floaters on a weekly to bi-weekly basis to allow the submerged plants more light.

Lucky bamboo... I had the same trouble. I ended up having to get some from Amazon. I found the size I needed and it came in a 10 pack. More than I needed, but all I could find.

 

[ronnie]

Bubbles in the soil substrate can be normal. Did the bubbles smell in any way?

My Anubias also has these wild moments of growth. I kinda like it as I wasn’t expecting it.

Also, not entirely the same, but the only lily pad type plant I keep is the banana plant. Mine got bushy before it sent a stem and pad to the surface. I’m not sure if it relates or not.

Food for thought: I wonder if you create a “protection ring” from the floaters directly above the lily, it would allow better light to it and grow differently?

By the ring I mean some airline tube cut to a certain length and connected. Place this above to lily and the floaters won’t be able to cover it.

 

[ronnie]

Personally, I love it! It kinda brings the whole bowl together as a statement without having to be directly over it. And I find that plant to be really cool looking, especially in water.

haha, and a lil soil never hurt nobody! I imagine it will grow much better with it there.

 

[ronnie]

Yay! Congrats. I wonder if the ring above it helped it receive more of the light it needed.

In terms of looking over it… no nothing crazy! I meant more of: you don’t have to be directly over the bowl to see any sign of life. But now, can see it’s a living system even from afar.

(that’s meant to come across as a compliment, haha, I hope it does).