Does an Amano-style aquarium demand an Amano-style substrate?
Would both the Rotala sp. and Glossostigma benefit from a substrate which offers more nutrition than Flourite?
Reading Ghazanfar's post this morning has reinforced my general feelings of working with Flourite. Leaving aside the dissatisfaction with the colour and grain size and shape of Flourite, it appears to me that it does not offer a lot to plants especially in the early part when they are getting established. A more 'nutritious' substrate would ensure a nutrient supply was continually there, regardless of water fertilization. Plants in a Flourite substrate environment will be totally dependent on the water for supply of nutrients.
Pruning the Rotala removes plant material which is actively growing and consuming nutrients. Until the Rotala reestablishes new growing shoots, it is not using the same? or as much? nutrients as before and the surplus can go to other plants. I suppose that makes sense. I do notice that some plants seem to go through cycles of dominance and suppression. Pruning might be one way to change the balance, as might temperature, lighting and etc.
I wonder if there is any special nutrient plants need after pruning? The ADA line addresses this with Green Gain.
Andrew Cribb
Would both the Rotala sp. and Glossostigma benefit from a substrate which offers more nutrition than Flourite?
Reading Ghazanfar's post this morning has reinforced my general feelings of working with Flourite. Leaving aside the dissatisfaction with the colour and grain size and shape of Flourite, it appears to me that it does not offer a lot to plants especially in the early part when they are getting established. A more 'nutritious' substrate would ensure a nutrient supply was continually there, regardless of water fertilization. Plants in a Flourite substrate environment will be totally dependent on the water for supply of nutrients.
Pruning the Rotala removes plant material which is actively growing and consuming nutrients. Until the Rotala reestablishes new growing shoots, it is not using the same? or as much? nutrients as before and the surplus can go to other plants. I suppose that makes sense. I do notice that some plants seem to go through cycles of dominance and suppression. Pruning might be one way to change the balance, as might temperature, lighting and etc.
I wonder if there is any special nutrient plants need after pruning? The ADA line addresses this with Green Gain.
Andrew Cribb
