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Anandaqu
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 Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:13 am Post subject: HC Cuba Challenge! |
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Hi all,
I am really curious to know if anyone on this site has really succeded in growing a HC Cuba carpet that is as good as the pictures we see on the net....
HC Cuba is a beautiful and perhaps an extremelyu addictive plant...But given the water temperature in India (except Bangalore, perhaps) is it possible to have a HC carpet at all. Or is it a mere deram (and waste of money)...
If anyone has had success, could you please share your experience, tips and photos please?
thanks |
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psimhan
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Anandaqu
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: HC Cuba Challenge! |
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Thanks Pradeep....I remember having read this post...
But there is a big difference between growig it emersed in a plastic tray and growing/keeping it inside an aquarium as a nice carpet...
I really wonder if anyone in IAH has a nice large HC carpet in a functional aquarium?
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surya_niki
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: HC Cuba Challenge! |
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IMO its extremly difficult and a very sensitive plant. I have little plonked into my nano tank . It does grow but not as expected as a carpet . I find bits of it floating in the tank due to my amano shrimps who frequently keep digging between the ADA soil for micro worms and other morsels they can find.
I think this plant will do extremly well in high co2, light and fert tank where there is no life stock ....i.e only planted set-up.
Regards,
Surya |
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joyban
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Severumkid
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: HC Cuba Challenge! |
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Sujoy, I have also read this article and before reading only I tried to grow them immersed. Reading it, I could only agree as I have tried to grow them submerged too.
But the question remains that when you replant them in a submerged conditions they do not grow that easily as emerged specimens. Have you encountered the same or has it been a different experience for you? Pls let us know.
Mine grows well when immersed but I get lot of hair algae and green beard algae problems when I transplant them in to water. But this was before I had pressurised Co2 but even after the pressurised C02 it is not doing very well albeit there is no algae. |
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Rana
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject: Re: HC Cuba Challenge! |
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Anand
I think you can grow this plant very well in submersed form also and grow a lush carpet. However the carpet will not sustain for a long time and you need to redo your work in cyclic way.
First is water temperature, the water temperature should not exceed 26 degree C.
Second is good nutrition in water column, nitrate level > 5 ppm will help to grow the carpet very quickly.
Third is light, do not put under very bright light, otherwise you will face algae problem. HC Cuba can sustain medium light; grows very well at light level @ 2 watt/gallon. Still if you face hair algae, dose excel with regular water change. If you face brown algae on the leaves, just increase the nitrate level.
Here is one picture from my tank. CO2 was delivered from DIY system.
I am just sharing my experience on this.
Regards
Rana
HC Cuba takes some time (say about two weeks) to adapt to submersed growth from emersed growth. This period is critical to avoid algae problem. Substrate is not that important. But do not try to grow this plant in sand.
when the carpet grows well, it become very thick and light does not penetrate at the bottom layer, so after some time (say 2 months) bottom portion starts to rot. At this time you need to redo your work once again. |
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nytyn
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:51 am Post subject: Re: HC Cuba Challenge! |
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| I havent done grown HC till now. My tank carpet was glosso! |
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shameek
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject: Re: HC Cuba Challenge! |
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Rana da the carpet is looking great
thanks for your informations  |
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Tirtha C
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| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:52 am Post subject: Re: HC Cuba Challenge! |
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| Rana wrote (View Post):
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Anand
First is water temperature, the water temperature should not exceed 26 degree C.
Second is good nutrition in water column, nitrate level > 5 ppm will help to grow the carpet very quickly.
Third is light, do not put under very bright light, otherwise you will face algae problem. HC Cuba can sustain medium light; grows very well at light level @ 2 watt/gallon. Still if you face hair algae,  dose excel  with regular water change. If you face brown algae on the leaves, just increase the nitrate level.
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Rana Da hit the Bulls Eye. I think Temp is the only crutial factor while growing HC. temparature > 26 degree, either HC will melt or it will just refuse to grow.
And as much as you can provide CO2, the growth will be fast. A fertile bed is not required to grow HC always. You just dose the water column, they will grow well.
Another findings..... HC does not do well in Excel. And medium light will be good enough to get a nice growth of HC. |
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Anandaqu
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:17 am Post subject: Re: HC Cuba Challenge! |
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Rana, thanks for the tips and the photograph...your lawn looks fabulous
Will regular trimming help prevent rotting at the bottom?
BUt with a temperature requirement of less than 26 degress, guess I might as well forget all dreams of HC in Mumbai...
thanks |
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