Sign of Not Enough Light?

[Trickerie]

So, I put a stem of healthy anacharis from my betta tank into my 25g to see how it would grow. I've suspected lighting issues for a while, and I was wondering if this proves it.

The anacharis started bushy and small. Now, the ancharis is around 2 foot in height, with the new growth being very spindly with only a few leaves, but very tall. I'm assuming this is because its reaching to get enough light? Its now reaching the height of my tallest sword, and it started off only a few inches.

Could use some input

Lighting: Finnex Ray 2 @18"

[ShadowBeast]

Wouldn't it grow more leaves, so it can absorb more light?

[mindnova]

In all the gardening I have done, aquatic and terrestrial plants will stretch toward the light and grow leaves high. There is no use growing leaves low with inadequate light when you can expend less resources on leaves. You also need to consider competition between plants that would shade lower leaves. If you look at old growth forests there is a canopy elevated as high as possible to compete.
So low light will elongate plants.

[Trickerie]

This is what I suspected. Thank you. Bummer :O

[GeToChKn]

or won't grow at all. I had a basic T5 over my 20gal, had vals in there for about a year, never grew an inch. Switched my hood with a DIY 3x13w CFL and in a few months they are about 40" long now and cover the top of the tank with the leaves.