E Tenellus or APP plant

[BlessChwee]

I have given up on hairgrass as it dont seem to spread due to my 3x2x2 tank and only got
4 tubes of 39t5ho.

I am thinking to tear down and replant with either E tenellus or APP plant and wonder which is a better choice.

I have called up c328 & y618 but they asked me what is the number of these 2 plants.

Can anyone tell me where to get these plants and how many pots for me to cover at least 50% of the tank (3x2x2)

[Dodofish]

I have never tried APP before. But E tenellus is very fast for me but I don't really like it.

[BlessChwee]

I have never tried APP before. But E tenellus is very fast for me but I don't really like it.

Do you have strong lights and is it too messy that makes you didnt like it ?

[Dodofish]

Do you have strong lights and is it too messy that makes you didnt like it ?

Yes my light is very strong then, should be around 5 watts per gallon.

It's not really messy, the looks of it is natural but I don't like the colors. There seems to be a dark line at the centre of each grass strain but I believe it maybe due to the chelate iron which I am using. When I got it, it was in emersed conditions and the color is very soothing.

It's worth a try, you can visit seaview if you want to buy it. I remember seeing some today.

But you probably want to wait for other bros to advise you because I remember seeing someone having very nice e tenullus. Maybe I screwed up my fertilizer regime?

Pygmy chain sword looks better to me.

Do you have pressurized CO2 for your aquarium?

[Urban Aquaria]

Tenellus could be used as a carpet plant, but it grows to around 10-15cm tall so you'll get a tall jungle grass-like effect (if that's your layout plan). It likes to shoot long above-ground runners far across the substrate and grow new bunches which tend to intertwine with other plants, so you'll need to regularly trim those "rouge" runners to keep it within the designed areas of the tank.

Elatine Triandra (aka APP) would be good if you prefer a shorter carpet plant which creeps along the substrate, i find it easier to control.

[BlessChwee]

Thank you for all the replies and may I know where can I get APP as i intend to lay 50% of my 322 tank.

I ever saw it at seaview but they are all rotten inside a cup so I didnt buy at that time. I have also called up c328 & y618 but they asked me for the order quote of APP plant, anyone knows ?

By the way, I have failed in the japanese hairgrass despite having co2 at 3 bbs but I think probably not enough light due
to my 2 feet depth. I wonder if APP & Tenellus will be able to strive and spread otherwise I feel disappointing to carry on.

[AQMS]

Hi,
yes you are right japanese hairgrass growing in a 322 is difficult because the of the 2feet depth you have.
Tenellus on the other hand will definitely grow like crazy,i know because i use to have it in my 322 but just like UA said
you need to regularly trim the rogue runners from running all over than tank. For the APP, i'm looking for it now for my new scape
if you happen to see do inform me

[thebaldingaquarist]

tenullus and APP are nice carpetting plants with low requirements.

i find that tenullus is easier to maintain. Don't like it, just pull.. the whole chain comes out. Like what other forummers mentioned, the runners does make a messy web, but so do other carpetting plants.

tenullus also has different hues. there are patches of mine that turn puplish or reddish due to strong lights. i find it to be a nice contrast.

APP is a fast carpetting plant that is neater. the "running" is more obvious and easier to prune. it does however.. float .. after the bottom tiers does not get enough light..

It is larger leaf-ed and more uniform in color. as opposed to thin, varied colored leaves from tenullus.

I last saw APP at seaview. if i am going today, i help you keep a look out.

[BlessChwee]

Thanks alot and I have ordered from Y618 and will be picking up tmr.

I failed in the jpg despite having 8 hrs of light and co2 injection during photoperiod and they just dont seem to grow and spread runners.

I hope that this around APP will be successful otherwise my last try will be tenellus which I did managed to grow them at a corner when I first started my tank but I pulled all out for jpg.

I have 4 tubes of 39t5 but probably going to change all the light tubes as they are almost 2 years old so any recommendation of which tube should I get and where can I get them ? I asked around the lfs and mostly are china make tubes and I saw someone mentioning that these tubes are not high lumen enough for the plants.

Lastly, is 4 tubes enough to cover my 3x2x2 tank and water level is around 3/4.

[AQMS]

APP should be no problem for your tank but the 2 years old tubes are. Usually 50% of the color spectrum is lost at the half-life of the bulb.
Usually planted tank tubes will last around 6 months after that period of time the intensity decreases subtly, this is known as cathode decay.
To our eye the lights might look fine, but the diminished color spectrum can cause the natural biological photoreactions in the aquarium to deteriorate.

[BlessChwee]

APP should be no problem for your tank but the 2 years old tubes are. Usually 50% of the color spectrum is lost at the half-life of the bulb.
Usually planted tank tubes will last around 6 months after that period of time the intensity decreases subtly, this is known as cathode decay.
To our eye the lights might look fine, but the diminished color spectrum can cause the natural biological photoreactions in the aquarium to deteriorate.

thanks again, which type of tubes do you suggest and is osram T5 good enough. Beside NA selling, can I get them from any other places like normal electrical shop around neigbhourhood.

[bennyc]

Being a cheapskate, i have tried many light tubes. The cheap ones at Seaview are ok initially (i think odyssey, around $7 after 10% discount), but the light output decrease very fast, i think around 1~2 months you can see the drop in light output.

By the way they are odyssey T5HO 6500K. I have tried qiahhu aquazonic T5HO, slighty better but the light output do not last too long too.

I have also been hunting around neighbourhood electrical shop, the ones they are selling are using normal output T5 (osram/philip), and not T5HO (high output).

If i will to restart the fishtank life again. I will definitely buy LED lights. The high startup cost is a issue but i think overtime the longrun cost is comparable/ break even to T5.

[BlessChwee]

I have finally planted 5 pots of APP last night and hopefully it will be a success this round but I am going to change my tube soon so am thinking of getting the osram from NA as got quite good feedback from someone.

I called up Mr Chan and he told me that he has LED lightset but price wise is much lower than some which cost 500+ and can anyone advise if this is a better choice than my current aquazonic lightset with 2 x 39T5 tubes. Thinking of getting this to replace the old hopar lightset as the light is too far away from my tank.

Has anyone seen the LED light that NA is selling and any feedback is appreciated.

[Urban Aquaria]

I've not seen the particular LED lights that NA is selling, but generally for lightsets that use arrays of 0.06W, 0.2W and up to 0.5W LEDs, those would be more suitable for tanks up to 36cm height (can use for up to 45cm height tanks but their effective light intensity at substrate level might be abit low in taller tanks).

Those that use 1W LEDs would be okay for up to 45cm height tanks and the ones that use 3W LEDs would be suitable for tanks up to 60cm height or more.

The number of LEDs, overall wattage and light angles/coverage also matters so its best to check reviews on the various lightsets beforehand to find the ones that fit your requirements.

[BlessChwee]

I've not seen the particular LED lights that NA is selling, but generally for lightsets that use arrays of 0.06W, 0.2W and up to 0.5W LEDs, those would be more suitable for tanks up to 36cm height (can use for up to 45cm height tanks but their effective light intensity at substrate level might be abit low in taller tanks).

Those that use 1W LEDs would be okay for up to 45cm height tanks and the ones that use 3W LEDs would be suitable for tanks up to 60cm height or more.

The number of LEDs, overall wattage and light angles/coverage also matters so its best to check reviews on the various lightsets beforehand to find the ones that fit your requirements.

Thank you for your advice, I have browse through the web and saw this ODYSSEA EVO Led 36" 72W (PLANT) which is 3w per led as you mentioned http://www.eastoceansg.com/odyssea-e...ant-p-821.html. I wonder will one set be enough for my tank for the foreground plants and I will put another 2x39t5ho behind for the background plants which do not require as strong light as those foreground plants.

Anyway, I will see how the APP grow for the next few weeks before embarking if to spend so much to get this led lights or to save money just change to osram tube.

One more question is that for T5 lightset, we can change the tubes ourselves after 6-9 mths but how about led lightset since it cost 4x if not more than an aquazonic or odyssea T5 lightset

[tcg170980]

I use http://www.eastoceansg.com/odyssea-m...pcs-p-879.html on a low profile 3*1*1 feet tank. managed to grow HC/hair grass successfully and I hang it approximately1 feet above water level.
But your width/height is way taller/wider. you might want to check with east ocean if the light is sufficient.

The T5 plastic sheet which protect the bulbs tend to "blurred" . so checked that to ensure brightness is not compromise.

I know Maxspect led cluster can be changed at $50/pad (I think).

source around the shops and you can get good deals.

[Urban Aquaria]

Thank you for your advice, I have browse through the web and saw this ODYSSEA EVO Led 36" 72W (PLANT) which is 3w per led as you mentioned http://www.eastoceansg.com/odyssea-e...ant-p-821.html. I wonder will one set be enough for my tank for the foreground plants and I will put another 2x39t5ho behind for the background plants which do not require as strong light as those foreground plants.

Anyway, I will see how the APP grow for the next few weeks before embarking if to spend so much to get this led lights or to save money just change to osram tube.

One more question is that for T5 lightset, we can change the tubes ourselves after 6-9 mths but how about led lightset since it cost 4x if not more than an aquazonic or odyssea T5 lightset

It depends on your planting layout, if your tank contains mostly low lying carpet plants and not much hardscape or taller plants blocking light getting to them, then one set may be sufficient. But if you have hardscape and various other taller plants arranged in the tank, then you may need 2 sets of lights positioned at the front and back to enhance coverage and prevent the lower plants from being overshadowed. Just have to plan it out.

Whether the LEDs in a LED lightset can be changed depends on the brand and model, usually for the cheaper mass market ones the LEDs are not made to be replaceable (unless you DIY replace the LEDs), but some of the more expensive higher-end brands and models feature replaceable LED modules so you could buy replacements and fix them easily.

Though with the purported LED lifespan of around 50,000 hours, the lights could last 11+ years (at average 12 hours of usage a day) before they need to be changed... way longer than most people will keep their tanks running.

[Phillipians]

As I have an APP foreground, you must get ready to trim your foreground every week or so after its established. I have to trim half its height after every 7 days. But its way easier to maintain than tenellus...

Also, once you get maxspect razer you will never regret it. Its the best investment for my 2ft tank after my eheim 2217.

[AQMS]

As I have an APP foreground, you must get ready to trim your foreground every week or so after its established. I have to trim half its height after every 7 days. But its way easier to maintain than tenellus...

Also, once you get maxspect razer you will never regret it. Its the best investment for my 2ft tank after my eheim 2217.

Bro, if you have extra APP sell me,im looking for it..

[Phillipians]

I can give you some. Its growing like mad. I can give a huge tub after every trimming. PM me your number. However, as I am giving it... you will have to travel down to my place at commonwealth MRT or my block downstairs if you drive.

I trim every Sat morning. So it can be collected in the morning. Alternatively if you have some other stuff like livestock or plants I would like to trade too. If not, giving you is fine. Rather than throw it away.