Hygrophila Difformis

Hygrophila Difformis(also known as Water Wisteria),is from the acanthus family.It is generally found in the marshy habitats of the Indian Subcontinent.

H.Difformis grows well under low-moderate lighting.But if the light intensity is increased then there is faster growth and the leaves will be much broader.

Even without CO2 Supplementation, this plant does well.
If CO2 is supplemented,the growth rate will be high.



When H.Difformis starts growing quickly,it out competes algae in the aquarium,because it is capable to absorb the excess nutrients in the water column.
If there is a shortage of micro nutrients ,pale growth can be observed.

PLANT INFORMATION:
NAME:Hygrophila Difformis.
TYPE:Stem Plant.
LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS:Low-Moderate.
Higher Lighting increases the growth rate and the leaves will be broader and finer.
CO2 Levels:Low-Moderate.
SUBSTRATE:Preferably an iron-rich substrate.
DOSING:Dosing MACRO and MICRO nutrients from the water column is beneficial and promotes faster growth depending on light and CO2 Levels.
It is not compulsory to dose unless you see signs of deficiency.

Laterite in the Planted Aquarium

Laterite is a type of soil which is rich in aluminium and iron.

Laterite is mainly red in color because of the presence of iron oxides.Weathering in tropical areas leaches out nutrients from this soil making it rich in only iron and aluminium.

Laterite in the Planted Tank:

In India, Laterite can be found all across the Western Ghats,mainly in the Konkan Region,and down to Karnataka.

Laterite is used in aquariums because it releases iron over time and has a good CEC(Cation Exchange Capacity),which is the ability to attract nutrients together and release them over time to the plant root system.

In the above pictures,the substrate is Laterite Gravel.
Laterite also binds the phosphates from fish food and also releases
it to the plants over time.

Laterite greatly benefits heavy root feeders such as species of
Echinodorus and Cryptocoryne.Laterite by itself will only provide iron to the plants.It is the CEC of laterite which makes it a very useful substrate in the planted aquarium.

Hygrophila Polysperma

Hygrophila Polysperma is one of the hardiest aquatic plants which I have known till date.

H.Polysperma grows quickly under suitable conditions.

An iron rich substrate and good lighting causes the leaves to turn 

into a light red color which is very attractive.

Regular dosing of fertilizers from the water column benefits the growth.

Dosing iron from the water column causes the leaves to turn slightly red.

I personally use the PMDD method of dosing nutrients into the water column.

Addition of CO2 can increase the growth rate.

I use DIY CO2 with a DIY CO2 Reactor.

CO2 is an important factor for the good growth of plants.

For the substrate, I used half an inch of red soil and topped with one inch of Laterite Gravel,both of which are rich in iron and is also a source of iron for the plants.

I currently have the variegated version of H.Polysperma.

To increase the pinkness in the leaves, we must increase the light intensity.

PLANT INFORMATION:

NAME:HYGROPHILA POLYSPERMA "VARIEGATED".

TYPE: STEM PLANT

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS:LOW-MODERATE.
CO2 LEVELS:Moderate.
SUBSTRATE:Preferably an iron-rich substrate.
DOSING:Dosing MACRO and MICRO nutrients from the water column is beneficial and promotes faster growth depending on the Light and CO2 Levels.