Cryptic Emersion – Part Two (of Ten) Derek P.S. Tustin Week Four Week Five

Week Four Full Tank View Week Five Full Tank View

A. Hastifolia - Week 4 A. Hastifolia - Week 5

I changed the “rain-maker” I had made by adding three To replace the “coffeefolia” I went to extra bars and rotated the orientation from running along Vandemeers and found an Anubias frazeri that has been the tank to across the tank. Unfortunately even with the grown emersed. Hopefully this will allow me to avoid the rot added moisture, I lost the Anubias barteri “coffeefolia”. It that completely decimated the Anubias barteri and the also started rotting, and I believe that it was due to the Anubias barteri “coffeefolia”. The has going from long-term immersed conditions to almost begun to grow a new leaf. There were no deaths or other completely emersed conditions. I removed both the plant losses in the tank over the week. and the wood that it was fastened to. One problem that I have encountered is some type of algae Other than that, there were no negative developments. The growing on my “rain-maker”. I think this may be due to the crypt rot has completely finished, and all are doing water from the “rain-maker” emerging so close to the lights, well. The new leaf on the Cryptocoryne cordata continues and the fact that I am fertilizing on a regular and ongoing to grow. basis. The algae is very easy to clean off of the “rain- maker”. All I have to do is to rub it under running water, and I also received an e-mail from a fellow Durham Region it comes right off. As such, I am not overly concerned, as it Society (DRAS) member this week. I had asked only adds a minor cleaning every two weeks or so, and it him to read my article and offer his opinion. He pointed out takes only a few minutes to do. that the tank is actually unsuitable for growing crypts in its current configuration, as I will never be able to maintain the (continued on page 14) humidity at a high level. Unfortunately, I do not have (or know of) a tank with the same footprint that has higher sides. As mentioned, the cabinet that this tank sits on was designed to house both the tank and the lights. As such, while acknowledging the problem, I will continue on my yearlong experiment to see what happens.

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Cryptic Emersion – Part Two (continued from page 5)

Week Six Week Seven

Week Six Full Tank View Week Seven Full Tank View

A. Hastifolia - Week 6 A. Hastifolia - Week 7

The new leaf that the Anubias hastifolia was growing broke the surface of the water, and another of the older leaves is now growing completely out of the water, rather than floating on the surface. I am unsure of why this is, as I expected the leaves that had grown immersed to remain below or on the water. In addition, the Cryptocoryne cordata is growing yet another new leaf.

This week, I also lost one neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi). I have no idea why this occurred, but all other fish seem to be doing well. I’m not sure if I ever mentioned it, but in addition to the neon tetras I purchased at the auction, there was also one very small fish that I assumed to be a baby neon tetra. This fish has grown sufficiently that I can now say that it is not a tetra, but rather a platy (Xiphophorus A. Frazeri - Week 7 maculates). Even though I have another tank teaming with platies, I will leave it in this tank. First off, I need to extend a big thank you to Connie, my wife. She enjoys the fish, but I take care of them. However, on May 16th, I left for the Canadian Association of Aquarium Club’s (CAOAC) Annual Show and Convention in Edmonton, Alberta, and didn’t return until May 21st. Connie fed the fish and fertilized the plants while I was away. Thanks hon!

First off, all the plants did fine during the week, although two leaves of the Anubias hastifolia had brown spots. I trimmed both leaves, and all else seems to be doing well. Also, I (continued on page 15)

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Cryptic Emersion – Part Two (continued from page 14)

was able to confirm that all six dwarf Cajun crawfish were • Utricularia graminifolia still alive, after previously being able to spot only a maximum of three at any given time. However, I lost one of I did perform the calculations on the temperature range and the two remaining marbled whiptail catfish. I never found pH range as I did when I set up the tank, but in the interest the body, but after watching the tank for four days, have of space, I will simply report that the Eleocharis acicularis only been able to find one. has a maximum recommended temperature of 25o Celsius (79o Fahrenheit), which leaves a recommended o o o This week was actually a turning point in this tank. As I temperature range of between 24 and 25 Celsius (76 – mentioned, the intention of this tank was to grow 89o Fahrenheit). This is a minor lowering of the overall Cryptocorynes emersed. However, after returning from the recommended maximum temperature, and the pH range CAOAC Annual Show and Convention, this tank will never remains between 6.5 and 7.0. be the same. As mentioned in my report on the convention in Edmonton, I had the chance to meet and speak with two While I continue to be interested in how both the extremely knowledgeable aquatic horticulturists. (Ed. note Cryptocoryne sp. and Anubias sp. will develop, I am equally – See Derek Tustin’s article “…tion”s in Edmonton also in fascinated to propagate the new species. Again, my thanks this edition of Tank Talk) One of these was Rudy Kern, a to Mr. Kern for his assistance in acquiring these plants, and member of the Aquarium Club of Edmonton (ACE), and for his invaluable knowledge and suggestions that he Tropica’s Canadian representative. shared.

Mr. Kern was kind enough to read my article and offer some suggestions. The most important is a correction he made to Week Eight a procedure that I was following in relation to the crypt rot. In Part One of this ongoing series of articles, I wrote;

“The crypt rot continued, although at a lessened pace. I have been using a turkey baster to remove the plant detritus. (Basically, you use it as a siphon. I return the water to the tank by squirting it through a strainer. The water returns to the tank, but the plant detritus remains in the strainer.)”

I was unaware of this, but this is not recommended. Apparently when a Cryptocoryne sp. begins to rot, it releases chemicals into the water that act as a signal to other Cryptocoryne sp. for them to begin to rot. Therefore

when I was removing the plant detritus and returning the Week Eight Full Tank View water, I was actually re-introducing chemicals into the tank that encouraged other plants to rot, something that I would prefer to avoid. Therefore, if you do use a baster to remove the detritus from the tank, do not return the water to the tank.

In addition to this information, Mr. Kern was also kind enough to aid me in acquiring several species of plants outside the Cryptocoryne sp. and Anubias sp. that I had, as well as acquiring two Anubias spp. that I did not currently have. Also, he was able to confirm that the plant I had in my tank and thought was Lobelia cardinalis was in fact not. (Ed. note – See Derek Tustin’s article Caveat emptor – It’s not a fish… also in this edition of Tank Talk) With the addition of these plants, the appearance of the tank has

changed, and the focus has shifted from the two species to A. Hastifolia - Week 8 a variety of species of plants. The new species added are; (continued on page 20) • Anubias barteri var. caladifolia “1705“ • Anubias barteri var. barteri • Cryptocoryne usteriana • Eleocharis acicularis • Pogostemon helferi Tank Talk – June 2008 15 Volume 35, Number 10

“…tion” in Edmonton Cryptic Emersion – Part Two (continued from page 19) (continued from page 15) instance, the Aquarium Society of Winnipeg has in excess of 250 members! But they only hold a show and auction every two years…) Having the opportunity to get to know members of different clubs was greatly enlightening. (I did try and find Keith to invite him, but he was off socializing with others.) Repatriation As mentioned, I headed down to Calgary for a couple of days before heading home. I never actually got the opportunity to talk to anyone from the Calgary Aquarium Society, but in travelling from the home of one of my family members to another, I stumbled across an incredible store

called Pisces Pet Emporium. It was one of the best complete pet stores I have ever seen, and it had an A. Frazeri - Week 8 incredible selection of plants, fish, and aquarium supplies. If you are ever in Calgary, take the opportunity to visit this The initial plants and the plants obtained from the CAOAC fabulous store. auction all seem to be doing well. I am experiencing minor difficulties in getting the Eleocharis acicularis, Pogostemon After two days in Calgary, I headed home, my flight leaving helferi and Utricularia graminifolia (all ground cover plants) Calgary International Airport around 4:30 PM (Mountain to anchor, and as a result have used folded paper clips Time) and arrived at Pearson International Airport around inserted over the plant and into the substrate. Hopefully this 10:30 PM. It was an enjoyable trip, I met some great will hold them in place until they have rooted into the people, and learned a lot, but I missed my tanks, my dog substrate. and most of all Connie! It was good to be home. The initial Anubias hastifolia has thrown another new leaf Observations that has broken the surface. There were no other negative All-in-all, it was a fabulous experience. There was no developments. registration at the convention, and no name tags, so it was difficult to match faces with names. I wasn’t impressed with While at Vandemeers with my wife, I saw that they had how I was brushed off regarding the publication and website some Salvinia rotundifolia intended for ponds. This is awards, but it gives me something to address now that I am similar to the Salvinia natans I have grown before, so I back. And, as mentioned, it was frustrating not to be able to purchased it and added it to both my 30-gallon tank to this bring any fish back. But all of those were minor concerns. I tank to see how they propagate. They do not change the am glad I had the chance to go, and have established some range for temperature of pH. new friends within the hobby that I hope can help me, and who I can in turn help as well. I am still somewhat concerned about the relative humidity in the tank, and am currently investigating ways of Thank you to everyone from the convention for their constructing a misting machine. I tried using micro-drip hospitality, and special thanks to the Durham Region spray heads (or sprinkler heads), but find that the desktop Aquarium Society executive for assisting me to go and to water garden pump (and another garden pump I purchased) Fran Mason for arranging the flights and accommodations. have a PSI (or pounds per square inch) pressure rating of less than 1 PSI. Most micro-drip spray heads need a It isn’t known where next year’s convention will be held minimum PSI of 25. Therefore the two systems are (anyone think DRAS should volunteer?), but I hope to be incompatible. I am searching for a way of either a) finding able to go, and hope some of you can join me to share the or constructing spray heads that would operate at this low of experience. pressure, or b) finding a pump with a rating of 25 PSI that is also small and submersible. If anyone knows of a way of accomplishing either, or has an alternative suggestion, please contact me.

(Additional Week 8 Pictures on page 22)

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My Green Wet Thumb: Silly Salvinia (continued from page 21)

become invasive, but as it is susceptible to frost, I expect that it would not survive a Canadian winter, and therefore unlikely to become invasive.

These two Salvinia species are interesting, and somewhat different than many aquatic plants that are commonly available. If you are gathering AHAP points, they are both worth an easy 5 points, but even if you aren’t, they are interesting plants to observe.

Latin Name Salvinia oblongifolia Height floating Width 25 cm (10”) Light medium – very high Temp 20 – 30ºC (68 – 86ºF) PH 5.5 – 9.0 Hardness soft - hard Growth easy Difficulty easy Origins South America Latin Name Salvinia rotundifolia Height floating Width 3+cm (1” +) Light medium – very high Temp 20 – 30ºC (68 – 86ºF) PH 5.5 – 7.5 Hardness soft - hard Growth easy Difficulty easy Origins South American

A. Barteri & S. Rotundifolia - Week 8 A. Cardinalis - Week 8

Events

June 17, 2008. DRAS Executive Meeting June 22, 2008. CAOAC General & Executive Meetings (Prez. BBQ, committee chairs selected)

July 26, 2008. CAOAC - HEIKO BLEHER SEMINARS (Toronto Zoo Atrium)

September 13, 2008. Sarnia Aquarium Society CAOAC sanctioned show & auction September 21, 2008. CAOAC General & Executive Meetings (Budgets are reviewed and accepted)

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