Week 2 - Growth Has Started

Week 2. Some growth is apparent

Today is week 2 completed. I can notice some growth now. The green is also more intense. The gaps are closing. One particular clump turned brown a few days ago. I am not removing it because I have seen them bouncing back from zero even after two months. So there is hope.

I think the growth started from day 10. I am thinking of keeping this DSM state for eight weeks.

Meanwhile, I planted two Crypt Wendtii Tropica in the main two-footer yesterday.

Day 10 - Planted Some AR Mini

Last night, that is on Tuesday 19th April, 2016, I planted some AR mini tips. These I cut from my existing 2-footer. They weren't doing too well in that tank. I am taking a chance that they might be revived in the new tank due to its high light. I think one of the reasons for their not doing too well in the other tank is lack of good light. Let me see how they perform here in emersed culture. I think keeping them moist in the new environment is going to be a challenge. 

Week One - DSM Cuba Holding Strong

It's been seven days since I planted the Cuba. The clumps are still holding out strongly. Keeping my fingers crossed. Given that they did not have any roots, it might take some time before they start growing new leaves and covering the substrate.

I think I saw a hint of yellow in a clump that is close to the rock where a small puddle is getting created. I poured some new Stratum there. Very little. Not even one spoon full. Let's see what happens. I am keeping a close eye on the progress.

Here are two shots taken on Day 4 and Day 7 of planting. There isn't much change apparent. Not a single new leaf. I think the roots will first grow and establish themselves. After that the leaves will start growing. Perhaps from week 2 or 3. I am very curious to see when that happens.

Day 7 f(rom day of plantation)

Day 4 (from day of plantation)

Day Two - HC Cuba Planted

On Sunday morning I found the turbidity in the tank had gone down. Not crystal clear but the substrate had definitely settled. I did the following things.

1. Bought a piece of net from Chetla and got the intake tube of the filter covered with help from my mother in law who stitched a conical cover for it.

2. Bought two cups of HC Cuba and a cup of Ludwigia Glandilusa. Got another small piece of Java fern trident.

3. Drained the water out of the tank and planted the Cuba in small clumps on the moist substrate.

4. Covered the top with a piece of clear plastic and switched on the light.

5. Cleared the small puddles by sucking water out with a narrow pipe.

I am in two minds as to whether to go for the dry start method or flood it soon. The Cuba did not have good root formed. So if I flood the tank now, they might float up. On the other hand doing the DSM might be difficult with mold and all. Also when will I plant the Glandilosa then? DSM takes a few weeks.

Let me see what happens to the tank and how things pan out. 

Day One - 9th April, 2016

I have been meaning to set up my nano tank as a shrimp only tank. I had thought I would do this after I came back from Chadar trek. But I came back from Chadar with a broken hand on 9th February. So it took me some time. Finally today - exactly two months after my return from Ladakh - I laid the substrate and filled it with water. Now the wait is on for a. the turbidity to go down b. to do the planting and c. to add the shrimps.

I kept collecting the various items for the tank over the last few weeks. First I bought a Chihiro LED light from Rocky. It is a smart looking Made in China light meant for 30 cm tanks. It consumes all of 18 watts of power but each watt is 100 lumens of light. That's a lot of light actually. It has a smart switch which can dim the light over seven stages of brightness. I am fairly happy with the purchase. I am yet to find out its efficacy for a planted tank. I don't like the colour temperature of the light. It is 7000K. I hope the plants don't mind.

Next I ordered for a Marina Aquaclear 20 HoB filter and Fluval Stratum 4 KG from Ram in Madurai. The filter arrived ahead of the substrate. Yesterday - Friday - the substrate also arrived, which is good. Because I could use the weekend to set up the tank.

The work I had to do to set up the tank is as follows.

Step 1 - removed Bhuto the betta from the nano to its original home. In fact I bought the nano as a winter home for Bhuto because in Bhuto's original home it would be impossible to fit in a heater. I also gave Bhuto all the original plants that he would use as a hammock to laze on. I intend to keep the anubias and moss on a driftwood in the new nano set up. They are right now in a bucket.

Step 2 - washed the tank clean. It had grown quite a bit of algae on the glass.

Step 3 - washed the Stratum. It is really dirty. A lot of black water had to be thrown out. ADA is much better in this regard. You don't have to wash it. But you have to do a complete water change over the first couple of weeks. There is no such headache with Stratum.

Step 4 - tied some christmas moss on a piece of rock. I had bought both from Buro a few months ago. I placed this rock in the middle of the tank and poured the Stratum around the rock. I have kept some Stratum in the original packet. I will probably use it for emersed culture of some plants.

Step 5 - Poured water. This water will perhaps be removed when I do the planting. The water is very turbid. I knew it would be. I am hoping it will clear up by tomorrow morning.

Step 6 - I set up the Marina. It is damn easy to set the thing up. I did not use the activated carbon that they have given. All I need to do is wrap a small piece of net on the inlet. Incidentally it is a Made in Italy filter.

Right now the filter is on and so is the light. And this is what the tank looks like. Over the next few days I shall keep posting more photographs.

The Nano as on 9th April 2016. Late evening.