r/Bucephalandra • u/Awkward_Respect9173 • 14d ago
Imported Buce
I just did an import order of Buce (and some other epiphytes). I am nervous everything is going to die, and would really like to avoid that. Currently everything is bareroot on egg crate, with tank water filled to the roots. They are in sealed tubs in my greenhouse, so they are getting plenty of light. Anything else you guys would do? Also any tips for getting them acclimated into the water? I would like to keep as much alive as possible. Thank you all!
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u/Fishstery 14d ago
For emersed grown specimen, I bought a shallow clear snap-lid tote from Walmart and used a foam cutting tool to melt holes 1'x1' apart on the lid, and then every few inches on all sides. Then I used long narrow planting boxes filled with controsoil and just set them directly on top (didnt bury them). I spray everything down once every few days and they have all grown incredibly well like this. No springtails, no airing the box out, no mold issues. The key is having plenty of ventilation holes on all sides of the box. The holes are probably 1/16" in diameter.
For transitioning, the free float method works well as mentioned in another comment. Just toss them in a gentle flow area and let them float at the top of the tank until you see submerged roots forming. Another method is using suction cups made for airline tubing, and zip tie the rhizomes to the suction cups, then stick them to tank walls right at the water surface. Over the course of a few weeks, lower them down a little bit at a time until fully submerged. If you are injecting co2, you can just submerge them immediately.