Eriocaulon ratnagiricum

[Capraquaria 187]

I managed to acquire some Eriocaulon ratnagiricum. It should arrive early next week. I am pulling my 60U out of its extended dark start this weekend, and figured it would be an intriguing addition at the base of the large stones. (Not my image, this was from the seller):



I did read Dennis Wong's 'how to grow' for this species, which was very helpful, and will add some APT Jazz in the areas that I plant it as it seems it wants a fairly rich soil. Tank is 0KH, remineralized RO with APT Sky initially to dGH 6 when I initiated the dark start.

However, despite being sold as 'inert', the Sensei stone I acquired from AFA is most definitely not proving to be entirely inert. I haven't drained the tank yet, but will this weekend when I start planting, but this morning KH is holding at 0, but dGH is currently sitting at 10! There is a vein of quartz-like crystal running through the largest stone, presumably calcite, as it is driving the GH up, and leaving KH unaffected. Calcite reportedly can run in some Magura/Sensei stone. I am already reconsidering the type of shrimp for this tank based on the higher GH level, but I am wondering if anyone has experience with this plant in a tank with higher GH? This Erio is KH sensitive, and the tank is ok there, but I am wondering if the excess calcium in the water column, pushing that higher GH, might be less than ideal for this Eriocaulon?

I did consider sealing the vein of calcite with cyanoacrylate glue, and covering it in riccardia to maybe slow the leaching/rise in GH, but I think most of the rocks have at least some of this material running through them to varying degree, and I am expecting that the leaching could increase once the CO2 is running, and the pH drops. Regardless, if anyone has experience growing this lovely little spiky Erio, please share!

 

[Burr740 76]

If KH is holding dont worry about the gh. Pin cushion erios like the little rat are not picky. They will grow fine in sand with rich enough water. If you have fresh aquasoil there is literally nothing to worry about. Honestly Id skip any additional root supplements. Thatll just get them used to it, and wired for it. Then it becomes a need to keep the whole system running smoothly

Having said that, if the plan is to dose the water extremely low, or if using other apt stuff that calls for it, then yeah its best to follow whatever the protocol is.

 

[Capraquaria 187]

Thatll just get them used to it, and wired for it. Then it becomes a need to keep the whole system running smoothly

Ha! That sounds like me, and coffee Thank you, though. Hopefully the GH will settle down, but I will keep an eye on the KH. I am not sure exactly what is causing the spike in GH with this rock, but as it may have the capacity to prematurely exhaust the CEC of the soil in the tank, I will need to keep an eye on that, and refresh the soil as needed. I am excited to try growing these little Erios!