italian vale not growing

[pockets]

I've got Italian vale planted in the corners of my 120. Nice thick bunch that I'm constantly trimming. Both sides have runners going all along the back of my tank. But the runners rufuse to grow taller than 5-6". They are thick and look like grass in my yard. But won't grow tall. Whats the deal?

[eklikewhoa]

specs on the tank? lighting etc.?

[pockets]

specs on the tank? lighting etc.?

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120 gallon. 6x18x24. 2-3' compact light boxes. Both with 2 24' 55w bulbs. A fluvial 404 canister and a powerhead for water flow

[eklikewhoa]

what's the bio load on that size tank?

[pockets]

Not sure what you mean. It currently houses my baby fahaka. 3". A 2" bristle nose Pleco and one sole surviving rumy nose

[eklikewhoa]

To take a wild guess I would probably say not enough nutrients with that few fish(bio-load) and not enough lighting.

[pockets]

I do dose w liquid fert once a week. And I'm using a fine gravel from aquazoo. The same gravel they use on all their planted tanks. They recommended it for low tech planted tanks

[mnemenoi]

I would agree with eklikewhoa, the lighting is too low to prompt very aggressive abnormal growth. I have also found that without specific parameters Val is notorious for just doing OK, not really thriving. My Val only does well if the Ph swings higher (7.8 and up), it has long strong photoperiods and fertilizing root tabs. That has just been my experience. You could try root tablets (I use Seachem, but I'm sure others would work as well) and some focused lighting, maybe a viper or just a small coralife 6500 CF fixture over the Val and left on for longer periods (12 hours, and adjust to your liking). Hopefully that should help, good luck with the Val and let us know what works

[pockets]

I wish I could upload a pic so you guys could see my tank but I get nonlinear via my phone and can't find where to upload. The corners of my tank are just sick with value. About an 8-10 diameter bunch that has to be trimmed weekly or it grows out of control. Its the runners across the middle of the tank that isn't growing

[kwc1974]

are you a little dark in the center of the tank due to a center brace? What are you using for substrate? you tell us a wattage for the lighting but what color rating?

[pockets]

In all honesty it looks a lil brighter in the center cause the val in the corners are up and blocking a lot of the there. I can't remember the color rating off the top off my head. City pets is the only place I can find bulbs. Its the older straight 4 pin 55w white compacts. The fixture is set where one plugs in at the end of each side. So even though the bulbs are only 24" in a 36" housing, light is still dispersed the entire 36". Substrate is a fine sand I got from aquazoo. Same sand they use in all their tanks