An aquarium without vegetation is not common, which is not surprising, since representatives of the flora not only decorate the mini-pond, but also maintain biological balance in it. Currently, aquarium plants are presented in a wide variety. Very small and unusual looks a small algae called chemianus cube, which is often chosen by aquarists.
Description
In the natural environment, chemanthus callitrichoids cuba can be found in the waters of Cuba and the Caribbean islands. The plant belongs to the Norian family. It has an oppositely whole oval foliage with a diameter of up to 2 millimeters. Stipules absent in leaflets. The tops of the leaf plate are saturated green, the lower ones are slightly lighter. The light intensity gives the plant an emerald hue.
The miniature bush is characterized by a straight and thin stalk, as well as the fragility of the root system, which has a length of not more than 5 centimeters. Chemianthus cube grows in colonies; in nature it can form a grassy hat with a height of 10 centimeters.
In an artificial ecosystem, an aquarium plant grows slowly. Subject to proper care, it forms a green mat in 3 months.
At the end of the day, you can notice that on the glossy leaves air bubbles form that look mesmerizing.
Hemianthus is able to beautifully design an aquarium bottom with any area. If there are bumps and slides in the ecosystem, the cube can accurately decorate them.This aquarium plant is an ideal option that combines an attractive appearance, as well as responsiveness with proper care for it.
Compatibility with other inhabitants
Hemianthus cube is a family plant, because it feels good next to its own kind, namely with tiny thin-stemmed plants with several leaves. Together, these representatives of the flora are able to form an underwater lawn in the aquarium.
Kallitrihoides is not suitable for bottom fish, such as ancistruses, corridors, other armored, locarium catfish.
Helena and melania snails can harm the plant. Grass can die from the neighborhood with a black beard, thread and rump.
The best option for fish that live in the water column with this plant are pecilia, neon families. Amano shrimp, crystals of black and red color, cherries perfectly coexist on the rug from the chemanthus cubes.
Growing conditions
As with any other plant, Hemianthus cube requires special containment conditions. The latter must comply with certain standards, deviation from which may cause the death of the weed.
Water
The best option for this representative flora is running water. In this case, a mandatory condition is the filtration of the liquid, for this purpose it is worth installing a filter in the aquarium. With poor filtration, vegetation may die.
Since hemianthus is a heat-loving grass, the temperature of the water in the aquarium should be from 23 to 28 degrees above zero. Acidity should not be lower than 7.5 units.
With the high acidity of the water in the aquarium, the foliage of chemanthus cubes begins to break down. Fluid change should be done once every 7 days. In this case, do not change all the water, replacing 1/5 of the volume will be enough.
Priming
This type of aquarium vegetation prefers shallow soil, which is as saturated with nutrients and fertilizers as possible. With a lack of ferrum in the water, yellowing of the leaves occurs, as well as a slowdown in the growth of the grass as a whole.
Lighting
The amount of light chemanthus cube is undemanding. In order for the green rug to be more dense and bright, the lighting should be brighter. However, we must not forget that this indicator should change gradually. If the plant grows slowly, and the stem reaches up, then it lacks light.
If carbon dioxide is added to the water, then gas bubbles settle on the sheet plates.
Planting and reproduction
The secret to success in growing kallitrihoides cubes is its proper planting and care, which will stimulate growth. In favorable conditions, this aquatic inhabitant is able to multiply rapidly, conquering new areas in the aquarium. The chemanthus rug that the aquarist plans to plant needs to be divided into parts. If the root system is too long, it is required to shorten it to 5 centimeters.
The grass is planted both in groups and individually.
If each root is planted separately, then you will need:
- use thin tweezers in work;
- dig in the soil chemantus in a checkerboard pattern;
- the distance between the sprouts should be at least 1 centimeter.
When landing in groups, it is worth performing the following steps:
- divide the green mat into parts;
- place each of the lobes in a well prepared in advance;
- sprinkle grass with a substrate;
- not violate the distance between groups of chemanthus in 2 centimeters.
In order to avoid the situation when the grass emerges on the water surface, it is deepened into the soil, leaving only leaves outside.
How to care?
One of the most important care measures for chemanthus cube is top dressing. If the aquarium contains a lot of fish, then their allocation has a beneficial effect on grass growth.After 7 days from the moment of planting this aquarium plant, it is worth feeding it with fertilizer based on ferrum. If you ignore this event or irregular top dressing, you will notice that the leaves of the kallitrichoids have turned yellow.
When there is an excessive amount of organic matter and iron in water, the weed can darken and grind.
Excessive amounts of iron can cause slow growth or even stop it. If the above phenomena are noticed, then it is worth stopping the feeding of chemanthus.
This representative of the flora tolerates a haircut, which makes it more dense and thick. During this procedure, it is required to cut off those shoots that have grown in the form of a second tier. Also, do not forget about the haircut of neighboring fast-growing plants, which displace or obscure the cube. In the absence of a haircut or irregular holding, the substrate may become dark spots or rot. To save grass, it is necessary to eliminate part of the carpet that has deteriorated, as well as to replace the rotted areas with healthy ones.
According to experienced aquarists, cutting a chemanthus cube with a size of 0.25 m2 can take about an hour. The formation of an aquarium lawn is necessary when, with a lack of light, the stems become very elongated. After removal of the tops, the stem of kallitrichoids is exposed, and small processes stick out in different directions.
After forming, the plant does not look aesthetically pleasing, but if this is not done, then the mat, which reaches a height of more than 5 centimeters, begins to rot, and its cap floats to the surface.
In order for the plant in the first days after planting not to float to the water surface, it is worth fixing it with a fishing line or a nylon net. After about 14 days, the grass will take root and the net can be easily removed.
Many diseases of chemanthus cube are associated with a lack of trace elements in water, which are vital for him. With regular and proper feeding of an aquarium plant, he will not have any ailments. Some danger may arise from other inhabitants of the artificial ecosystem. The presence of a black beard, settled on the walls of the tank, can inhibit the vital activity of grass.
As a preventative measure, you should buy aquarium fish and plants only from reliable and trusted sellers.
You can help algae by cleaning the aquarium with a stiff brush, as well as replacing a third of the water in the tank twice a week. Good care of the chemanthus cube is a guarantee of good growth and attractive appearance of the plant. This aquarium vegetation is considered a real find, since its decorative properties are on top. Landing in the home aquarium of kallitrichoids is an opportunity to create a beautiful design in an artificial pond, which will have a great resemblance to the natural.
For errors when growing a chemanthus cube, see below.
