Emerse to Submerge

[cjloong]

Hi all
Since nobody have posted here, I'll be the first one. ;-) My first post in the forum as well.

Anyway, here is the story. Those familiar with planted tank will do aquascape (nice ones). After a while, while collecting many plants, and keep adding to the aquarium, the nice scape will be ruined. We use the term collectoritis to describe it.

Since the above, I was trying to devise a plan to keep plants (collecting them) but not ruining my aquascape. Therefore, this method of planting came out.

Well, here is the process.
1) First I get a pot and seal the holes leaving 1 open. Then attach a PVC piping on it. All sealed.


2) Then plant with soil/burnt soil/left over aquatic soil. I let the soil level to the top of PVC. Meaning, no excess water on top (or just a little).
3) When I have it growing well, here is the picture.


Here is a closeup of the plant in emerse form.


4) When time is right, I put a PVC connector and increase the level to the top of the pot. You can cut all top growth before filling to minimize polutants when the leaf rots underwater. Then I put it in a shaded area. After I see new growth, I move it to a morning sun location.
5) Here is a result after 3 weeks of morning sun. The plant shown in this experiment is rotola rotundifolia. BTW. the dirt on top is grass clipping as the lawnmover man just came.


Here is a closeup


I am trying out with the fussy stellata now.

Regards
cj