[Phishes]

Hi everyone,

I'd like some input before I waste money on a plant that won't grow. My low-tech 40 breeder is doing well as I'm finally getting my dosing and lighting all worked out. I currently have a bunch of crypts that are doing well and growing faster than expected. My dwarf lily and tiger lotus are also doing well but not growing that fast. I REALLY want to add a type of hygrophila but my previous experience with hygro did not go well. It generally looked sickly and was growing at a snail-pace. (To be fair I rescaped the tank pretty often it may not have been able to settle in).

The tank is lit with TWO finnex stingrays. Each one puts out ~40watts and based on my research the PAR should be between 40 and 50. Is this enough to grow any type of hygrophila? If its not, would a simple clip-on LED grow light from home depot help? Any input is appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Phishes]

I think you should be able to.

Hygrophila corymbosa 'compact' grows really well in lower light, lower tech tanks.

Most other species are fairly easy to grow.

Hygrophila pinnatifida is a littler tougher to grow...

Thanks for the quick reply!
Maybe I'll give it another shot. I love the way they look so hopefully it works out.
Do you personally have any experience with hygro at this light level?

 

[Phishes]

I grew corymbosa and willow leaf just fine with 2 t8 bulbs in a mirror reflectors just fine back in 90’s in plain gravel.

Well, thats 2 votes for "yes" and 0 for "no." I guess that means I'll have to try hygro again! But this time I won't pull it out and move it every week LOL.

 

[Phishes]

I've just set up a low tech tank, and bought some H. polysperma "Tropic Sunset" from a hobbyist off Ebay. It's hands down the best growing plant I put in--easily outgrowing the algae outbreak I've got going on. It's been in 10 days, and probably already needs to be trimmed and the cuttings replanted.

H. difformis/water wisteria is supposed to be super easy, but mine melted and all I've got now is a little green new growth in the crowns. I suspect it may have been grown emersed, which is why it melted when I put it in my tank. That batch of plants also sat in a bucket outside for a week, so that may have contributed to the melt/dieback.

I've heard great things about polysperma but as far as I can tell it's illegal in CA.... but "illegal" doesn't mean "impossible"
Might have to do some looking around and if I find it ill snatch it up.

 

[Phishes]

Here's a picture of Hygrophila Difformis growing under a single Finnex Stingray using nothing more than root tabs. As you can see, it'll do the job just fine.

I've also had excellent luck growing Broad Leaf Hygrophila under the same light.

Wow! what an inspiration and thanks for the info. I just got quite a few stems of compact hygro and its already looking better than my previous attempts. Probably because my water parameters are finally stable lol. Looking forward to growing these!