Clue
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A while back, before I had gotten my Aldrovanda, Blokeman decided to PM me some very helpful tips (Thanks again, Steven!). Bloke compiled up the info from his own experiences, local CPers and Barry Rice's very informative Growing Carnivorous Plants. Here's his PM:
"Hey Clue,
I've tried growing aldro, but with no success, but for the simple and only reason; Algae.
What I think you will need is as such. You'll have to make sure that there is a slight flow of the water, if it stagnates, i think that it promotes algae growth... You'll also need other plants to suck up any nutrients that might be present. As well as oxygenators (odd looking round balls of plant that make oxygen...) And finally, a filter of some sort, be it activated carbon, or some other type of replaceable filter, preferably the former (1st option). All this, in your typical aquarium. Barry rice says to make a peat tea, by passing water through some peat, and to also put a base of some leaf litter and peat at the bottom of your aquarium. I'd assume it is to replicate their natural environment, and give the water the proper tannins, and possibility of microorganisms, feeding your aldro eventually
Be careful when refilling the tank, as there WILL be evaporation, if you pour it any faster than a snails pace, you will (or at least I did, hehe) loosen up any algae growth that WILL form at the bottom of the tank, making your water cloudy and that's basically how i killed my aldro hehehe. Meh, live and learn eh!
Well i hope this helps you on your quest in growing this magnificent plant, it's a lot smaller than i thought, but if you have a macro zoom on your camera, it makes fore real great pics!!! Here :
Sounds complicated, it is, but is it worth it, YES!!!!
Steven"
I had tried growing some Aldrovanda in a ten-gallon tank with gentle carbon filtration, but algae still set in, so there's a tidbit I'd like to add: try not to use peat in your water. Rich Siversten and I have both noticed that peat-sludge sprouts green, stringy algae that chokes out plants. I do, however, have a backup pond outside that still has a moderate-sized population of Aldro.
Thanks to Bloke for allowing me to post this (a little late, BTW). I hope it comes in handy!
"Hey Clue,
I've tried growing aldro, but with no success, but for the simple and only reason; Algae.
What I think you will need is as such. You'll have to make sure that there is a slight flow of the water, if it stagnates, i think that it promotes algae growth... You'll also need other plants to suck up any nutrients that might be present. As well as oxygenators (odd looking round balls of plant that make oxygen...) And finally, a filter of some sort, be it activated carbon, or some other type of replaceable filter, preferably the former (1st option). All this, in your typical aquarium. Barry rice says to make a peat tea, by passing water through some peat, and to also put a base of some leaf litter and peat at the bottom of your aquarium. I'd assume it is to replicate their natural environment, and give the water the proper tannins, and possibility of microorganisms, feeding your aldro eventually
Be careful when refilling the tank, as there WILL be evaporation, if you pour it any faster than a snails pace, you will (or at least I did, hehe) loosen up any algae growth that WILL form at the bottom of the tank, making your water cloudy and that's basically how i killed my aldro hehehe. Meh, live and learn eh!Well i hope this helps you on your quest in growing this magnificent plant, it's a lot smaller than i thought, but if you have a macro zoom on your camera, it makes fore real great pics!!! Here :
Sounds complicated, it is, but is it worth it, YES!!!!
Steven"
I had tried growing some Aldrovanda in a ten-gallon tank with gentle carbon filtration, but algae still set in, so there's a tidbit I'd like to add: try not to use peat in your water. Rich Siversten and I have both noticed that peat-sludge sprouts green, stringy algae that chokes out plants.
I do, however, have a backup pond outside that still has a moderate-sized population of Aldro.Thanks to Bloke for allowing me to post this (a little late, BTW). I hope it comes in handy!
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