Comp_Nov09: Fell's Crag

[samc]

thats a little beauty james the plants look amazing!

good luck with the comp also

 

[James Marshall]

Thank you Sam
Good luck to you also

Cheers,
James

 

[NeilW]

This is my favourite pic, I love the way the green just drops away off the bank and has a real natural bulge where it overhangs like a grass verge or something. Very much reminds me of your tank you had in PFK except with darker sand

 

[James Marshall]

Thank you Neil .
I'm glad you noticed that.
I am fascinated with the way different plants grow at the edge of a cliff.

Cheers,
James

 

[NeilW]

Thank you Neil .
I'm glad you noticed that.
I am fascinated with the way different plants grow at the edge of a cliff.

Cheers,
James

Its a really nice effect, is it a case of cunningly placed rocks with the Riccia attached behind the 'edging' larger rock? I always wondered from your other tank too as it looked excellent! I read in a lot of places that Riccia has to be removed after a while as it 'overgrows' itself so the lower parts rot? Did you have to replace it in your other tank?

 

[James Marshall]

In the pico the Riccia is tied to 2 pieces of lava rock behind the main stones, in Autumn Sunrise it was tied directly to the main stones.
I think the trick is not to tie it too tightly, otherwise no new plant can develop under the fishing line, and it will not stay anchored. Also if the plant gets crushed in the process, most of it will rot and form a layer of sludge under the healthy stuff causing it to lift.
Use loads of line and tie lots of Riccia loosely to the rock, then prune it weekly to about 1.5cm thick, it can stay healthy and well anchored for 6 months or so.

Cheers,
James