Hey guys. I'm playing with the idea of going emersed with some plants. I've got a lot of seed trays, a 2ft tank, so good soil and compost but no extra lighting. Where should tge tank be placed, somewhere it gets moderate light? How much should the tank be filled? I was thinking of putting in a hygro, some bacopa, a little bit of rotala and maybe a fern or two
U think MTS is bad, wait till you start this project. Totally awesome. But ill let the pro's answer ur Q!
I have found that if you keep it as simple as possible you get the best results. Don't try to overcomplicate it with special soils, CO2 and lighting. You can get great results with the simplest of things. My previous attempt involved something similar to @GDT78 's setup: http://www.apsa.co.za/xenforo/threads/gdt78s-emersed-setup.6543/ I only used 50% potting soil and 50% pool filter sand in a tupperware container that got sun for 1-2 hours a day. No more or the plants get fried. Currently I'm using those plastic containers they give with take-aways in the kitchen window sill. Some guys even use empty coke bottles. Loads of ideas. Just wait for the first crypt to flower then you will start making sums for a greenhouse.
As I have shown to a few people.. my stuff is growing emersed in the garden. I actually have some hygrophilas on full sun. Today I watered them twice.. but they survived the 40c. I also have moss growing emersed. No issues.
I got H.difformis growing in the open.. never water them or maintain them and they are growing really well. Granted that I live in an area that is very misty in the mornings and evenings, so that might of helped. I had to trim my bacopa because it takes over the whole setup. Agreed, keep it simple.. no need to get aquasoil or actual planted tank substrates for emmersed. Plan old organic potting soil will work wonders!
I eventually went the simple route. Took two Coke bottles, cut the tops off, put some soil in, a little bit of water, a few granules of Osmocote and threw in some moss, a few spare crypts and a few java ferns. Closed the top off with a plastic bag, taped it up and put it by the window sill, where it gets a bit of ambient light. Tonight its sitting on one of the Reptile cages where its warm.
Do I need a heater? Just starting small and with what I've got. Cold zapped the leaves of the C.neviili so that's why I'm asking about the heater
