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Hey everyone,

I was wondering if ya'll can help me with my plants? I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions for some tall plants, that can grow in about 1.6 watts of light that will grow some what fast. I already have amazon sword and hornwort which are doing rather well. I got some vals the other day but I later read that they may not do so well in low lighting and they are already in crappy condition. (they arrived in really bad shape most of the leaves mush) So any suggestions?? : )

thanks

tigermom

Java ferns can get pretty tall and do well in low light. May be a bit smaller than your amazon swords, but similar leaf shape (probably darker color though)

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When you say tall what length are you talking about also what are the dimensions of the tank.

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Keith

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Hygrophilia sp. do quite well under these conditions and they get really tall. You will have to trim them frequently as the upper leaves will shade everything below (this goes for the giant hygro). There are other rapid growers available (see my log) but they are not available everywhere. Aside from the requirement for diligent trimming, giant hygro can be quite attractive and as a plus due to their rapid growth, they will use up a lot of excessive nutrients. An attractive alternative to the Vals (or addition) is Cryptocoryne balansae, which will also grow tall (about 2 feet long leaves) but this plant has a very distinctive and nice look. Amnother opton is the onion plant, C. thaianium, basically a Val with a bulb but very dstinctive looking because of said bulb

Tank is: 36 1/4 x 12 5/8 x 23 3/4

Thanks for the suggestion everyone. Im leaning towards the
Hygrophilia and the Cryptocoryne balansae. But i worry, do they do the same die off then regrow thing or will they do okay after replanted?

thanks everyone

tigermom

Tigermom,

I am assuming that you are referring to the Cryptocoryne melt? hygro does not undergo any die off followed by regrow. Just plant the stems and they will form roots quickly. Crypts can do it but they don't have to. Only if the tank conditions are very different from what the ones they were kept before. Personally, I was lucky and never experienced it with any Crypts that I bought and I will try to get C. balansae for my tanks. Both plants, hygro as well as C. balansae appear good choices for your tank dimensions. One thing to consider is growth rate: C. balansae is rather slow, while hygro is fast and good in taking up excessive nutrients if you are concerned about this.

Hi,
Whenever you pull a plant up and transplant it to another
tank, or even another part of the same tank, the plant has
to re acclimate itself. The plant then uses its stored
energy reserves to grow new roots. While this is taking
place the older mature leaves will wither and die while
new leaves will sprout in their place. When you purchase
a plant that was grown out of water and you then
submerge it the same thing will occur as the plant
begins to draw its Carbon from the water instead if the atmosphere.

As long as the main body of the plant stays firm and does
not become soft and spongy it is alright.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

tigermom, I have to back up what the Cat has said about Giant Hygro . Its indestructible .
And Crypts will come back . I bought 5 small ( very small ) Wendti for my new tank and
after about 3 weeks I would not have given a fig for their chances of survival . Now after
10 weeks they are powering ahead .

So go nuts , if your conditions are right ( and i'm sure they are ) your plants will survive a
lot of things .

Garry