Experimentation

I figured I would try something different today. I have these really pretty ornamental grasses outside that have got to be pretty large. I decided to attempt to submerge them in my 125 and see if they grow.

On a side note, when I had my Koi Pond outside I tried the same things with success. I used to pick plants and see if they would grow underwater coming from a terrestrial environment. The plant that seemed to take to the submersion the best were the grasses.

Anyhow I broke off about 6-7 pieces of the grass and planted them in my tank. It will be interesting to see if they live and grow. When I did it with my pond the grasses went into shock and then came out after a few weeks. Most other plants died from the shock.

The big difference here is the lighting and water parameters but the grass did well in the pond during the summer when the water was warm and went dormant around fall (does not do this when terrestrial).

 

Yes as they were in my pond

 

Well, I have 2 types of grasses. Both are relatively short at full height, 1 is darker which really can not be seen and then there is a bright green one that looks like a grass that is sold in pet stores for aquariums. I think they look good.

You can see 3 groups of the bright green grass on the left and 1 cluster on the far right. I dont know if you can see the darker stuff but it is all on the left of the tank

 

Yup, that is my main concern. I think the acidic water should not be and issue because my water in the pond was a bit as well.

 

Well, it has been in my tank for 1 week. Surprisingly none of the grass has wilted. It is all still the same color it was outside. I would have thought by now it would have started deteriorating. I have felt the grass blades and actually they are quite strong. They are not weak and rotting feeling.

It still may be a bit early to tell but I think it is going to work!

 

Still alive, I added a few more grasses because the 1st batch planted a week ago actually seem to be doing well. They are growing roots and seem fine.

 

Most of them (about 85%) are still doing good!