Really? Y'all really think those vals can work? Hmmm... Becca, if I were to try them, how do I plant them? I'm using pool filter sand as a substrate. Just cover the roots with the sand? Dose with Excel or something? Not sure about it, but willing to look at it. Matt, will pm you.
-Rich
I used to grow them in a 150 with PFS and pea gravel and a bottom-of-the-line, cr*ppy, yellow-ish, beamswork (the old kind - they've stepped up their game a bit). I usually will put some root tabs in when I first plant a tank, and then let it take care of itsself from then on.
Vals grow good roots to absorb nutrients, and very tall/long shoots to absorb light. They can flourish in "low light" conditions because they reach the surface.
If you're adding drift wood to your tank, you could also consider some Java fern and Anubias attached to it. Another one of my favorites is Hygroryza aristata (a floating grass that doesn't root) to provide some shaded areas.
The photo I TRIED to attach above shows a 210 with all of the above (and then some). The lighting on it isn't particularly great... it's that same old beamswork plus one 36" finnex (the other one needs a new power supply) and an old, beat-up, Marineland double-bright.
It also shows 3 large-ish bits of driftwood... so here it is again (I hope).
