What Lighting For Pygmy Chain Sword?

[Katty]

I was toying with the idea of putting some pygmy chain sword in my tank, to replace the dwarf sag I currently have (don't really like the look of sag, too tall). On a trip to the LFS the other day I saw that they had some and considered buying it, but wasn't sure how it would do in my tank. But on different websites I have seen lighting recommendations of high, medium, AND low for the pygmy chain.

So in your experience, what light does it do best in? And is there anything special it needs?

My tank is 20 gallons and has 30 watts of light, which I think puts it in the low/medium light range?

 

[Katty]

Nobody knows?

 

[Verminator89]

I've seen it apparently thriving in Sweet Knowle Aquatics tanks under what i can only guess is low-mid light levels. Each tank is run on a UGF so each tank is unique and in each tank the dwarf sag is apparently thriving. Lots of runners and compact growth. So i'd hazard a guess at low light is required with nothing to specific being needed.

Very tempted to try some myself!

 

[ian]

Sorry Katty, missed this one, and i also agree with the above. The will get taller in lower light tank though, when they get past the melt stage.

 

[Katty]

Is there anything that stays shorter in low light tanks? Maybe that's why my dwarf sag looks so tall.

 

[ian]

There are 2 variations of Dwarf sag that get sold, one of those does grow quite tall. If your looking for a smaller grassy plant, Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, will grow. Many other sites will say it's a 'high light' plant, but many others grow it under low light conditions and it does OK.

 

[Katty]

Is there any way to tell between the tall and short version when they're in the store?

Hmm, I like the lilaeopsis too, I'd just have to find a store that has it... It doesn't do the tall thing with low light?

 

[Verminator89]

All plants will generally 'reach' toward the light. Even carpet plants such as HC and Glosso will grow leggy and tallif insufficient light is provided for them. I've found even 'low-light' plants seem to grow taller rather than lower and compact unless you give them a little more light than is usually stated.

The thing with adding more light is you generally end up having to start using/increasing CO2 + ferts. Its a whole other aspect that...

Echinodorus Tenellus i've found to be a good low growing plant similar to dwarf sag, but it does have slightly higher light demands. I tried Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis about a year ago in a tank with 0.9 WPG and it didnt do well at all and eventually it all melted away.

 

[flix_cw]

I've just ordered some pygmy chain sword off the internet (expecting it tomorrow) for my low-tech low-light setup. I'll keep you posted how it does.

I bought some lilaeopsis brasiliensis about 6 months ago and it died very quickly, putting me right off. Someone on here then recommended i tried lilaeopsis mauritania instead, never got round to it though.

Try this maybe? Linky

 

[Katty]

I couldn't even add more light to the tank if I tried, I have the basic aquarium full hood, then I took off the feeding hatch and stuck some plexiglass over the water and another strip light on top of that. I'm not sure what the high light people do... Must be special fixtures?

Maybe I'll try the pygmy chain now, stick it in next to the dwarf sag and if it doesn't work, oh well. The store I saw it at sent a coupon in the mail.

 

[lljdma06]

Are you married to a grass plant? Marsilea minuta and hirsuta stay small and do quite well in low-light levels. Crypt parva also stays small and mosses.

I grew E. tenellus in Endor, they grew about 4-6 inches tall, though.

llj

 

[Katty]

Are you married to a grass plant? Marsilea minuta and hirsuta stay small and do quite well in low-light levels. Crypt parva also stays small and mosses.

I grew E. tenellus in Endor, they grew about 4-6 inches tall, though.

llj

The plants you listed look interesting, I'll keep them in mind when looking at what's available. They don't get too lanky in low light?

 

[lljdma06]

Marsilea is a stalk with a lobe on top. Mine often would look like four-leaf clover that was about 1-2" tall. That was the hirsuta, minuta is even smaller. I don't think they got lanky.

Liz

 

[Katty]

Sounds nice... Dunno if I can find any of that around here though, and shipping is a little expensive