Lilaeopsis Novea-Zealandia

[Ps3Steveo]

I've been planning a project for a long time and one of the things I want to get right is the carpet plant. Was thinking of HC but in a 450 Litre I wanted something with a little more hight so may have some HC but then I saw this http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/aquafleur-lilaeopsis-noveazeelandiae-p-2772.html and was wondering if anyone has used it or knows much about it?

 

[KittyKat]

To be honest, that plant looks identical to Lilaeopsis brasiliensis.. so close, that without doing further research, I would be tempted to say that Lilaeopsis "Novea-Zealandiae" is made up.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Your right it does look identical, anyone know much about it? Says it can be used in ponds but I want it for a thick lawn effect.

 

[KittyKat]

L. brasiliensis is a nice plant, but I find that it is demanding so does not grow that well in a low-light tank without CO[sub]2[/sub] and fertilisation.

 

[ian]

Lilaeopsis "Novea-Zealandiae is a 'proper' plant, i have it in my tank at present. It's actually native to new Zealand, it is supposed to be a little bit more sensitive than the normal lilaeopsis. Personally, it wouldn't be my ideal carpet, you would be able to carpet with it, but you'll need loads of pots in a 450ltr. Hc will spread quicker under the right conditions.

this is mine...

It also remains a little smaller that normal Lil.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I'm probably gonna use both HC and Lilaeopsis as I don't want 3 & 1/2ft of the tank with the same plant but I think the two together will be fine. Whats the lighting like in your tank Ian? I'm hoping to cram as much as I can in the lid of the Vision 450, ideally I want the equivalent of 3WPG really but I dont think I can get 6 tubes in the lid so if not it will be ripped out and I'll go L.E.D and will be using FE CO2 and TPN+. What you think?

 

[ian]

sorry i have taken ages to reply, i haven't had much time today.

Whats the lighting like in your tank Ian?

I have 2 T5HO 28 watt over 190ltrs, the tank is deep though. Just be aware that it isn't all about the lighting levels. Most scapers are coming round to the idea that distribution of ferts and C02 are much more important. Mr Amano doesn't use high level lighting above his aquascapes, a few years ago people thought he did. Just be aware that the higher light you go the less room for error you have when it comes to algae outbreaks. Personally i'd go for mid lighting levels, its very difficult to go along with the WPG rule as the depth of tanks are different the tubes/LEDs today are different. What lighting does the 450 have?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

It comes with 2 x 54W T5 1200mm the tank is 1500mm wide so dunno whether to cram in another unit as if the WPG rule applied standard would be less than 1 WPG where as 2 sets would be closer to 2WPG which is kinda mid ish lighting. What do you think?