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I've got a bunch of Vallisneria in my 55 gallon tank, but it's not spreading like I expected. What's the best way to propagate it? My substrate is sand, and I'm running a Fluval 307 with medium lighting.

Vallisneria spreads via runners, so if it's not propagating, check your lighting and nutrients. Medium lighting might not be enough. Are you dosing any fertilizers? Also, sand can compact over time, which might hinder root growth.

Yeah, brookbend's got a point. Vallisneria loves nutrients. I've had success with root tabs in sand. Just poke 'em in near the plants. Also, if your tank's too clean, the plants might not get enough nitrates to thrive.

Mine went crazy after I added some root tabs. Like, it's everywhere now. Maybe try that? Also, how often do you do water changes? Too many can mess with the nutrients.

Thanks for the tips. I'll grab some root tabs and cut back on water changes. I've been doing 50% weekly, so maybe that's the issue.

juloxy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 24, 2025 1:50 pm Thanks for the tips. I'll grab some root tabs and cut back on water changes. I've been doing 50% weekly, so maybe that's the issue.

Yeah, 50% weekly is a lot unless you're dealing with high nitrates. Try 25% weekly or even biweekly and see how the plants respond.

Also, keep an eye on your fish load. More fish means more waste, which can help the plants. But don't overdo it, or you'll have other problems. Balance is key.

My Vallisneria took off when I added a few more tetras. The extra waste seemed to help. Just don't go overboard, like LiquidFlow said.

pearly wrote: ↑Thu Jul 24, 2025 5:49 pm My Vallisneria took off when I added a few more tetras. The extra waste seemed to help. Just don't go overboard, like LiquidFlow said.

Exactly. It's all about finding that sweet spot. Too clean, and the plants starve. Too dirty, and you risk algae or fish health issues.

One more thing, juloxy. If your Vallisneria is still stubborn, try trimming the older leaves. Sometimes that encourages new growth and runners. Just don't go nuts with the scissors.