propagating setup basics

hey there guys

so i would like to start a small propagating operation in my garage, say two tanks and i would sell the surplus to local petstores and lfs. iv just been retrenched so i need something to make a lil extra cash. so what i need from you guys is suggestions on possible plants you guys would like to see in the lfs's and possible setup suggestion. im thinking i will need a CO2 system and ill probably use filter sand as a substrate maybe with peat underneath. i hav a feeling this is going to be a real learning curve lol :bigsmile:

 

You can get a 100Litre fish tank at Petcity pta for R300 each.(tank alone no extra)

 

Gee thats bad, sorry to hear that you have been retrenched. I wish you all the best with your venture unfortunatly i can't give any advise [cos i kill plants thats why i have plastic ones now]

I'm sure that lots of guys on the forum will give give you advice, Best of luck and hope you find a new job soon.

 

Hi Windfire, why not a lot of different mosses? Everybody is always looking for some kind of moss and you can hardly find any in a LFS.
They grow easy and you can propagate them with the smallest of pieces.

 

yes moss would be great and it grows fast so you will get paid fast!

you don't need to waste money on buying a tank , buy plastic .

I would say grow some hair grass and other grassy plants to .

cheers

 

Sorry to hear about your job windfire

I would try with fish as well as plants though, if you can.

Look for some nice fast growers (plant wise)

 

fish wise it will be hard to make any real profit what with food and other costs to grow the fish you might break even . breeders make the money of quantities and you can't compete .

if you breed fish skip live bearers , go for breeding ancistrus they are not to hard to breed and fetch a good price .

I know where to get you some.
later

 

if placed in your situation i would keep rather unusual fresh water plants but i would not charge a fortune for them, the other day i stumbled across an under water fresh water banana tree, it actually bears miniature bananas...these types of plants are rare and and i'm sure alot of people on TASA would place orders with you...

 

"fresh water banana tree"
JesseG, Please tell us more!

 

http://www.bobstropicalplants.com/store/catalog/images/Banana%20Plant.JPG


http://www.mknwaves.com/catalog/images/Image171.jpg
is this it?

they are indeed rare.

 

yes, dasher that is it, lovely little plants, the guy at the store told me that its the first time in 30years that he has seen something like this...i would've bought it but don't know if my fish will go crazy and eat it...

i wonder if we could eat those bananas...

 

LOL! Those "bananas" store nutrients for the plant to grow when nutrients dry up!

Using the peat in cemicult as a substrate is an idea for this. Definitely use Co2. It promotes plant growth and damned good lighting. Also, using the ferts in the water column might start getting pricey, but I think your little project might just work.

Good luck.

PS: maybe try growing the plants emmersed? They are tougher and easier to transport. AND then they would get their Co2 from the atmosphere...

I have 2 x 4ft tanks you could use for emmersed growth. If you are interrested, drop me a PM.

 

Yes most aquatic plants is grown emmersed like normal garden plants only lots more water. You can keep them in shallow tubs in little pots.

Sorry Slagter nit trying to keep you from selling your tanks

 

does anyone have more info on this i have tried to google etc.. But cant find much.. Trying to grow some hairgrass like this because its a slow grower in my tank.. should i just put it in a tub with some wet soil/ferts, and close up the tub? put it in partial sun? Any advice.

Thanks

 

I am growing hairgrass in a icecream tub on my window sill. Threw in some potting soul planted it and - keep it well watered.
Google - growing aquatic plants- ceck out the image page and you will see it being done in huge scale.

 

how much hairgrass you start out with? I dont have very much to work with and would like to keep some in my tank.

If i took like 6 shoots and spread them evenly in a normal icecream tub would that be fine?

Also two other questions.. Could i use palm peat fiber (i have left over) with the chemicult.. Should i put clingwrap on to keep in the moisture? Amy chance you can post a pic or two.. PRETTY PLEASE

Thanks
Freaksta

 

Bump @ vis

 

LOL - somebody is sitting at the tank with an ice cream tub - double thick just finished the last half to get the tub .. ready to plant the 3 of the 9 strands of hairgrass just in time for sunrise tomorrow morning .. just need that nod from VIS

 

LOL @ f-fish

 

i thought that growing them emmersed caused them to adapt badly to growing under water once aquarist bought them? it might work i should take a pick of where im gona set it all up so you guys can see and give relevant suggestions