Valis Wont Grow

[bullit]

Basically ive got straight valis in my tanganikan setup that wont grow tall like i want it to. It has plenty of off shoots but i want it nice and tall and accross the surface. Ive bought tall plants before but it just goes brown after a while. I have 2 T5 lights in a 240 rio that are on for about 3.30 hours a day. Ive been told that it could be that the plants are getting enough light so they done need to (grow to the light). I wondered if this was true? I tried taking a bulb out today but the unit wont work with one bulb. Any thoughts one this please. cheers in advance

 

[lljdma06]

What's the wattage on those T5's? Each bulb.

 

[bullit]

It has Juwel High Lite Day, T5 length 1047mm, 54 watts and
Juwel High Lite Nature, T5 length 1047mm, 54 watts,

 

[stu40]

Do you have any other plants in there? Are they struggling? 3 and half hours doesn't sound very long for the lights to be on.

 

[bullit]

No, just these. I used to have anubius and swords in a previous setup (same tank) and they grew really well. I think the valis used to get eaten back then by the american cichlids i had. cheers. Are you saying a longer lighting period?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I had the same problem in my old rio 180, my vallis literally stayed at the same height over like 3 months... I love vallis but i don't like it when it is only half the height of the tank, im tempted to try again but I have t8s now and I dont know if it will grow, would like to know more

 

[stu40]

No, just these. I used to have anubius and swords in a previous setup (same tank) and they grew really well. I think the valis used to get eaten back then by the american cichlids i had. cheers. Are you saying a longer lighting period?

I'm not too sure about this, but i think i remember reading that you need 4 hrs for photosynthesis.Though different plants need different time periods.Vallis seems to be one of those plants which people can either grow or not.I find it easy with my hard water, weekly water changes and 8 hours of lighting (T5's). I know that a lot of people,on here, run their lights for 8 hours or so.Not always in one period.I go for 4 on, 2 off, 4 hour.It's about finding what works for you.Obviously too much can lead to algae problems, and no-one wants to go there

 

[bullit]

As i said it flies lots of shoots off but it doesnt grow higher than 4". Is yours growing nice and high? I dont have any algae on the sand so ive increased the light period by another hour. I think the algae made me originally reduce it.

 

[stu40]

Sorry, i don't know what else to suggest.Do you know which type it is.Allegedly [font="arial]Vallisneria Nana doesn't grow as tall, but sends out lots of runners when established.[/font]

 

[bullit]

I dont know what type it is but when i bought it, it was already tall lol.

 

[Erik]

Try some Jungle Val. It grows to 4 feet long and does well in softer water.

 

[TCfishies]

I'm still new to aqua plants, but if it was a land plant I'd suggest removing the extra runners so that it directed its energy to the existing plants, which might give you more height.

Of course if you just have a short variety, nothing will help!

Mine took a long time to establish. I've had it since March and have only just got my first new runner plant. It does get very tall now though. I've trimmed it twice and now I have one leaf which really is 4 foot long. It looks pretty cool so I'm going to let them grow.

I've been using ADA green brighty step 1 fert. I think my water is soft. No CO2. Lights on in 2 x 5 hour lots ( so 10 hours all up) I don't have any alage now that I have healthy plants!

Good luck!