APP growing high and not spreading horizontally

**Kenng** · 23rd Oct 2013, 22:43

Hi,

Need some advice here. Don't know why my APP is growing higher and higher like reaching for light in a 3 ft tank.
Trim quite a few times and still not crawling horizontally. I am using 4xT5 90cm lights and on for 6 hours per day.
I am using ADA soil and had a fan blowing and had CO2 injected. Soil is 5-10cm thick.
Anyone can help to advise? Thank you.

**felix_fx2** · 24th Oct 2013, 07:43

how old your t5 tubes.

light issue likely, maybe old tubes or light source not reaching them strong enough

**Kenng** · 24th Oct 2013, 09:34

Quite new and I changed my T5 tubes every 6 months. Or should I increase the light hours to 8? Already had some green aglae growing on the walls.
Attached are 2 pictures.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...s-APP-for-sale

**felix_fx2** · 24th Oct 2013, 11:25

how many hours now?

i have some APP growing also.... indoors.. i had around 9 hours photo period. Now their outside in my corridor farm..

**flick** · 24th Oct 2013, 11:32

Hi there,

Your lights are not strong enough. Maybe try to remove light stands, to bring lights closer to your substrate..? I don't think you should increase duration of light period. You need to increase intensity instead.

I used to grow APP. Had the same problem with 3 x 39W T5HO (old tubes). Added another 4 x 39W T5HO (brand new). It stopped reaching upward, started crawl and grew like weed. Had to trim every 4 days.

Actually, from your photo, it looks like APP have already covered substrate (not sure, can't see properly from your photo). Mine covered substrate, then started growing upwards. I think that is normal.

**blue33** · 24th Oct 2013, 12:28

Remove your acrylic cover will increase the lighting intensity except the 2 small cover at both ends, you'll see the difference.

**Kenng** · 24th Oct 2013, 13:40

Originally Posted by flick

Hi there,

Your lights are not strong enough. Maybe try to remove light stands, to bring lights closer to your substrate..? I don't think you should increase duration of light period. You need to increase intensity instead.

I used to grow APP. Had the same problem with 3 x 39W T5HO (old tubes). Added another 4 x 39W T5HO (brand new). It stopped reaching upward, started crawl and grew like weed. Had to trim every 4 days.

Actually, from your photo, it looks like APP have already covered substrate (not sure, can't see properly from your photo). Mine covered substrate, then started growing upwards. I think that is normal.

It covered the substrate with the top part but not crawling at the bottom instead. I had seened others crawled very nicely on the substrate, hoping to achieve that.

**Kenng** · 24th Oct 2013, 13:41

Originally Posted by blue33

Remove your acrylic cover will increase the lighting intensity except the 2 small cover at both ends, you'll see the difference.

Thank you, will try it out.

**Kenng** · 24th Oct 2013, 13:41

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

how many hours now?

i have some APP growing also.... indoors.. i had around 9 hours photo period. Now their outside in my corridor farm..

about 6 hrs now

**felix_fx2** · 24th Oct 2013, 14:51

Originally Posted by Kenng

about 6 hrs now

if the plants around it are doing well. try blue33's method, that does bring some results. my old t5 i had them removed also as they were shading the light.