what val plant for 75g tank

[DaFishMan]

Sorry for the noob question, but my 75g tank 21 inch height and looking for a val for the rear left corner. Which one would grow to the tank height but not overgrow to block light from the other plants ?

Thanks

[PPulcher]

Long time no see!

V. americana var asiatica apparently grows to only 50 cm, which should fit fine in the 75 which is around 55 cm tall if I recall. This is a Tropica variant as far as I can tell. V. nana might also fit the bill, it grows 30-50 cm, also a Tropica variant.

While not a vallisneria, you might consider Cyperus helferi, which gets to about 35 cm tall. I used to grow this and it's not as easy as valls.

[BillD]

I have what I believe is V. spiralis, which grows to about 24", and is about 5/16" wide. Grows well without a lot of light and won't require cutting to maintain the proper height.
You are taking the right approach in my mind. Why grow a plant that gets to 5' when you have less than 24" of tank height? There are lots of varieties of Val that don't require the tops to be cut; V. spiralis is one of them.

[DaFishMan]

Good to see you both and thanks

Asiatica and spiralis are pretty close. I will probably hit
Menagerie this weekend and seeing what's avail. Need downoi again too and more e augustifolia.

I have a few threadleaf vals that might be nano, very thin and graceful leaves. Maybe I can mix those in with the larger vals

Hoping to complete my 75g this weekend !

Edit, yup don't want to be cutting vals if I can help it. Lower maintenance & better for the plant

[BillD]

If you can't find the Val you need I have lots.

[DaFishMan]

Thanks very much Bill. I will hit Menagerie first as also looking for couple other things. I may come a knockin ! Are you still growing crypts ?

[BillD]

Only C. nevilli.

[DaFishMan]

C Nevilli is a nice crypt Bill

I moved most of my crypts to a 25g, they were ok for a couple weeks, then had had a mass melt I left the tank alone to see what will grow back.
There's a few coming back but it'll take awhile.

I've been thinking about the v spiralis you mention. Turns out I'll be in scarb tonight. How long would it take to reach your area ? Would you be around tonight ?

If I can manage to get that from you, then b japonica from DBlade, and a couple plants from Menagerie I'll have pretty much all I need for the tank !

[BillD]

Hard to say with the traffic that will be out tonight, but normally, it takes less than 20 minutes for me to get to the zoo. I think I will be around tonight. I'll pm you my phone number.

[DaFishMan]

Just got home from all my running around.

BillD really came thru for me yesterday with a generous amount of vals and e latifolius. Then today Darkblade with b japonica and a swagelok metering valve, then Menagerie I bought the last 2 downoi plants. With those items and what's already in the tanks, I have everything to setup the 75g (except co2 tank lol)

I'm totally stoked and about to treat the plants with potassium permanganate. It's going to be a long night