Pearling also requires that there are sufficient macro and micro nutrients
for the plants to photosynthesize for long enough to achieve an O2
saturation in the water. I've had my newly set up tank running for about 2
weeks now (w/ mature gravel). The CO2's been running for many days now, but
have only begun to adjust the nutrient levels to where they should be. Only
after a few hours after the final dosage did I notice pearling beginning.
Now the plants (crypt wendtii and E. cord.) are pearling nicely (well the E.
cord is at least).

Jeff


"E. Mito" wrote in message
...
Pearling is when your plants visibly produce oxygen as a result of
photosynthesis, which chemically oxidizes water into molecular oxygen and
H+
ions. Usually happens when you have lots of light and sufficient CO2.
Sometimes you'll notice small air bubbles starting to accumulate on the
undersides and/or tips of leaves, sometimes you'll see a stream of very
tiny
bubbles floating to the top from a point (sometimes a hole from damage) in
the
leaf or stem.

Dave Picklyk has some nice pictures on his website:

http://members.shaw.ca/davepicklyk/o2pearling-pics.html



Erica
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/mitoem/mitoem/index.htm