You're using 2/3rds the amount of light of your old tank, AND the tank is deeper, this makes the light less intense.
Rotala Indica growing funny......
I just recently set up my 20 gallon tall tank with 2x27 watt pc bulbs sitting directly on top, ferts, and diy co2. I originally had a 7 gallon very long shallow tank with 1x27 watt pc with my plants in it previously before moving to the 20 gallon. My rotala indica grew very fine leaves and grew straight up until it reached the surface and started curving. Now I have a few stems that are growing curved with rather large leaves on it. I know the plant grows differently in different conditions, but is this a bad sign ie too little/too much lighting? Thanks!
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It's probably fine. I have some and it certainly curves a lot when it gets close to the light so there's more surface area exposed. If anything, you should just trim the tops of each stem where it's starting to bend and replant them.I just recently set up my 20 gallon tall tank with 2x27 watt pc bulbs sitting directly on top, ferts, and diy co2. I originally had a 7 gallon very long shallow tank with 1x27 watt pc with my plants in it previously before moving to the 20 gallon. My rotala indica grew very fine leaves and grew straight up until it reached the surface and started curving. Now I have a few stems that are growing curved with rather large leaves on it. I know the plant grows differently in different conditions, but is this a bad sign ie too little/too much lighting? Thanks!
Well I really like the way it looks with the smaller leaves much better, so would it be beneficial to upgrade the lighting to something more intense?
What about a 24 inch dual t5HO light either on top or a few inches above with diy co2, ferts, and possibly excel dosing?
When you are talking about rotala indica, are you indicating this plant:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...details.php?id=317&category=genus&spec=Rotala
or this one?
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder/details.php?id=39&category=genus&spec=Rotala
Quite honestly, a lot rotalas bend when they hit more lighting, not the opposite. Also, larger leaves is usually a sign of better growth as well. Crowding the stems help. I am not sure why people are telling you 54 watts pc lighting is not enough lighting. You should be able to grow anything in that much light.
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...details.php?id=317&category=genus&spec=Rotala
or this one?
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder/details.php?id=39&category=genus&spec=Rotala
Quite honestly, a lot rotalas bend when they hit more lighting, not the opposite. Also, larger leaves is usually a sign of better growth as well. Crowding the stems help. I am not sure why people are telling you 54 watts pc lighting is not enough lighting. You should be able to grow anything in that much light.
Sorry it's rotala rotundifolia. I have recently come to understand it is sold as indica, but not true indica. So your saying the pc's will be enough to grow everything well being 16" off the substrate? I was looking into the t5ho setups just because it seems everyone on this forum rants and raves about them, and if they are worth the investment I wouldn't mind purchasing either a single or double t5ho fixture. I was just worried as the leaves are much much larger than they used to be.
You'll be fine with that amount of growth on lighting. By the description you are giving me of the rotala rotundifolia, I am sure of it. The biggest mistake I made was getting too much lighting by not researching more and taking bad advice.
Here is a (really bad) picture of mine doing this:
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And this was with 130 watts pc over 55 gallons. I had less light and had great growth. The description of the rotala being smaller leaved and growing straight up before actually indicates the plant was struggling before.
Here is a (really bad) picture of mine doing this:
And this was with 130 watts pc over 55 gallons. I had less light and had great growth. The description of the rotala being smaller leaved and growing straight up before actually indicates the plant was struggling before.
Agreed. Too much light and rotundifolia just crawls along the substrate. The leaves grow thin in CO2 deficient environments, and wide with CO2 injection IME. They always grow wider leaves at the tank surface, I imagine because CO2 is quickly replentished in that area.
Wow thanks a lot for the information everyone! I never knew any of this before and I feel much better about my current setup now.
Sewingalot: He's asking why the growth changed after he changed lighting and depth of tank... He went from a "high" light setup, to a "medium" light setup. I was just stating that.
Ref: Lighting Charts
That said, rotala rotundafolia is not a high light plant.
Ref: Lighting Charts
That said, rotala rotundafolia is not a high light plant.
You really have an ideal setup for most plants regarding the amount of light you have in my humble opinion. After doing low, medium and high light, yours is in the perfect range provided you provide co2 and nutrients in addition. If you need more resources, let me know. I'll get you some links to read up on.Wow thanks a lot for the information everyone! I never knew any of this before and I feel much better about my current setup now.
Edit: Apparently, I'm wrong, lol. Hoppy is honestly someone I'll suggest you listen to as he has done a lot of Par readings and has expertise in this area. Posting the link that I am referring to. http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/124433-lighting-20-gallon.html
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