Dwarf hairgrass complete setup

[Bcuzimbatman]

I recently had to re start my 10 gallon aquarium after an ich outbreak. I really want to make a completely carpeted dwarf hair grass set up. These are the specs I was thinking of.

Lighting: odyssea t5 4x18w lamp

Fert: A DIY c02 setup leading into a glass diffuser, and regular weekly dosing of API leaf zone.

Substrate: bottom layer will be fluorite capped with a top layer of regular aquarium sand

Filtration: will be a standard internal 20-30 gallon filter not HOB as to not disturb the water and create unnecessary oxygen

Livestock: mainly neons and cardinals but not really important until the plant setup is perfect.

Plants: like I said I'm aiming for a DHG full carpet but I also want some bigger background plants that look bush like and I'm open for suggestions on this.

Will this setup work? Or is it a recipe for failure and another restart?

 

[aqua_chem]

Have you already bought this yet? There might be better ways to go about this.


Also, I have serious doubts about using that much light on a 10g, with Excel, DIY CO2, or even pressurized. It's pushing it even by some reef standards.

 

[Bcuzimbatman]

I'm sorry I was under the impression that the more light the better. I have not bought this yet. What can I do to achieve the type of tank I want?

 

[aqua_chem]

More light is only better if you have the CO2 to support it. Otherwise you start to invite algae.


I would recommend you look up the Dry Start Method (DSM), as DHG works great with that method. Using that, you can establish a decent portion of carpet, roots and all, before you even have water in your tank. You will need a nutrient rich substrate for that though.

What you're looking for is doable, but you need to tone down the light. 2xT5HO would be a lot. There are different fixtures out there for 10g that will give you a more appropriate level of light.

 

[Bcuzimbatman]

What soils would you recommend for the DSM? And wouldn't drying the dhg kill it? I will be buying it from petsmart.

 

[aqua_chem]

It's not dry, it's "Dry". Its above water but in a very humid environment, almost boggy. This allows it to grow with essentially "infinite" CO2, so it grows fast. Plus, no algae!

 

[Bcuzimbatman]

Looks awesome! How bout the other plants can I grow things besides dhg tho? Like bigger plants?

 

[Bcuzimbatman]

DHG carpet. 10 gallon tank. Using the DSM method. I've chosen timberline top soil for the substrate