pearling

turtlehead said:

my riccia is not pearling like most of the pictures I've seen of it is it because I don't add co2? 3.8wpg 10g and is that too much lighting? I've been using excel and ferts

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Yes, C02 is needed for pearling to happen.

No, that is not to much light; however you do need to add C02. Excel is only a carbon source and will not have the same benifits as injected C02.

will my riccia and hairgrass to grow with no co2 injection?? only ferts and excel. some of the parts on the bottom of the riccia is yellow is that becuase it wasnt getting light?

They will grow, but the addition of C02 will make a big big differance. With 3.8WPG C02 is needed or you will most than likely run into algae problems down the road.

The yellowing ricca could be a nutrient deficiancy or lack of C02. Do you have it floating or attached to something?

riccia is attached

With a 10G, 3.8 wpg may not be quite enough light for Riccia, especially without CO2. I have no experience with Riccia in anything smaller than a 125G but have read that, with smaller tanks, light levels of >5 wpg may be necessary. Please correct me if I'm wrong here

FWIW, I am growing riccia (travis, thanks for the starter) in my 10g with 6wpg, 2x15w 5500k and 2x15w 9325k with diy co2 > 35ppm. I too think that 3.8wpg in a 10g may not be enough.

Love to see some pics of that Riccia if you get a chance baj Mine is growing very 'straight up' rather than sideways and I would love to know if you've had a different experience.

In a 10 gallon 3.8 wpg is plenty of light to grow anything. Plants dont need as much light as people seem to assume.

I'm with Shane. It will do fine with 3.8 WPG. I grew riccia very well in a 10G with 3.9 WPG. I think CO2 is a must though. DIY CO2 is a viable option with a small tank.