Comparing plants: what are the key differences?

[bettaMagenta]

I've got two tanks with Chinese Evergreen in hang on pots - same planting methods, same timeframe, similar lighting. Both have great vegetation growth, but one has massive root growth. Water parameters and bio load are nearly identical in both tanks. The only physical difference I've noticed is the tank on the left, where all the roots are in the bubble waterfall. In the tank on the right, only the two plants on the far left are in the bubble waterfall - and interestingly, I haven't seen any difference between those plants and the ones not in the bubbles.

[coltin]

It's possible the tinfoil barbs are having an impact on root growth. I'm not entirely convinced that the bioload is similar between the two tanks, given the presence of larger fish like tinfoils compared to tetras and angelfish. Tinfoils tend to produce more waste, which could be affecting root growth in that tank. On the other hand, hydroponic systems often use airstones to maintain oxygen levels for plant roots, suggesting that the bubble waterfall itself shouldn't be hindering growth.

[bettaMagenta]

Just a heads up, no Tetras in that tank - the Acaras and earth eater have some size to them, and the Oto, while not huge, is larger than the average oto, plus a bigger angel.