{"title":"Vallisneria","description":"\u003cp\u003eVallisneria is the classic background plant, sending long ribbon leaves to the surface where they trail along the top of the tank. We stock corkscrew val, which twists as it grows, and thin val, which is straighter and finer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is one of the fastest ways to fill the back of a tank. Val spreads by runners across the substrate and a few plants become a dense stand within a couple of months, which is either exactly what you want or something to keep on top of with a pair of scissors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant it with the crown, the point where the leaves meet the roots, sitting just above the substrate rather than buried, and it will take off. It grows in ordinary gravel and does not need added carbon dioxide.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"thin-val","title":"Thin Val","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThin Val is the narrow-leaved tape grass — tall, ribbon-like leaves that sway in the current and spread by runners into a flowing green background. Hardy, fast and undemanding, it is one of the best low-tech background plants going, and a natural privacy screen for shy fish. \"Thin Val\" is a trade name for the narrow-leaved forms of Vallisneria, most commonly Vallisneria spiralis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVallisneria of this type is found across warm and temperate wetlands worldwide — rivers, lakes and slow channels in Asia, southern Europe, Africa and Australia — rooted in the substrate with leaves streaming toward the light. In the aquarium it appreciates a nutrient-rich substrate and tolerates a wide temperature range, doing especially well in harder, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlender, strap-like leaves rise straight from a basal crown, typically a few millimetres wide and reaching 40–80 cm, so they run along the surface in most tanks. The portion supplied is a young crown or two; once settled it throws runners and quickly builds a dense stand of upright ribbons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA background plant for the rear and corners, where its height forms a curtain of green. Plant crowns a few centimetres apart and let the runners fill in. Do not bury the white crown — plant only the roots, leaving the point where leaves emerge above the substrate, or it will rot. Thin older leaves rather than cutting the tips, which leaves unsightly blunt ends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeparate any bunched crowns and push the roots into the substrate, keeping the crown clear. It propagates prolifically by runners — daughter plants pop up alongside the parent and can be left to form a jungle or lifted and replanted once rooted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrows well in low to moderate light and needs no CO2. It is a root feeder, so root tabs in inert gravel or sand noticeably improve growth and colour. Comfortable across 18–28 °C, tolerating cooler rooms than most tropicals, and prefers neutral to alkaline, moderately hard water. Growth is fast. One honest caution: Vallisneria is sensitive to liquid carbon (glutaraldehyde) products, which can melt it — avoid or dose with care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVallisneria spiralis (narrow-leaved Vallisneria)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThin Val, Tape Grass, Eel Grass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWidespread (Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–80 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBackground\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to Moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoot tabs (root feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to hard (6–20 °dGH)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRunners (daughter plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginners, low-tech tanks, backgrounds, coldwater and tropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the tougher background plants, it copes with goldfish and many cichlids better than most, and suits community fish, livebearers, shrimp and snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDetermined diggers and big herbivores can still uproot or shred it. Avoid liquid-carbon dosing, which Vallisneria is notably sensitive to, and skip it in dedicated soft, acidic blackwater tanks where it grows poorly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234103181603,"sku":"AA1303","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/thin-val-43078099599651-v2.webp?v=1790321584"},{"product_id":"corkscrew-val","title":"Corkscrew Val","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCorkscrew Val is the tightly spiralled form of vallisneria, its ribbon leaves twisting like green corkscrews that sway in the current. It spreads by runners into a moving background curtain and is about as easy as aquarium plants get. A classic beginner's oxygenator for larger community and coldwater tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVallisneria grow rooted in the beds of rivers, lakes and streams across warm-temperate and tropical regions, this cultivated corkscrew form deriving from the East Asian asiatica group. In the aquarium it wants a nutrient substrate for its roots, moderate light and steady conditions to send runners marching across the back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNarrow, strap-like leaves emerge tightly spiralled from a basal crown, a fresh mid-green that catches the light as they move. This is a more compact, curled val than the tall straight species, though established leaves still reach 30–60 cm and will trail along the surface in shallower tanks. Expect a young plant or two that quickly throw runners once settled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA midground-to-background plant that forms a flowing green backdrop. Plant individuals a few centimetres apart and let the runners fill the gaps into a dense stand. Rather than trimming height, remove excess runners to control spread; cutting leaf tips leaves blunt ends that can brown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove any pot, rockwool or weights and plant the roots in the substrate, keeping the white crown at the surface line – bury the roots, never the crown, or it will rot. It propagates prolifically by runners: daughter plants appear on horizontal shoots and can be separated once well rooted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate light suits it, though it tolerates lower; no CO2 is needed. It feeds mainly through the roots, so use root tabs in a nutrient substrate. Comfortable across 18–28 °C, which makes it useful in unheated tanks; pH 6.5–8.5, medium to hard water. Growth is fast once established, spreading readily by runners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVallisneria asiatica var. biwaensis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCorkscrew Val\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEast Asia (cultivated form)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMidground \/ Background\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoot tabs (root feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–18 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRunners (daughter plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommunity, coldwater and beginner planted tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcellent with most community fish and one of the few plants tough enough to hold up in many goldfish tanks. It suits tetras, rasboras, livebearers, rainbowfish, peaceful barbs, shrimp and snails, and its runners give fry welcome cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDetermined diggers and large cichlids uproot the runners, and big goldfish may still graze softer leaves. Avoid liquid-carbon (glutaraldehyde) dosing, as vallisneria is notably sensitive to it and can melt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55281672454435,"sku":"AA6605","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/corkscrew-val-10277363286307-fx.webp?v=1790319642"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/collections\/Thin_Val_Vallisneria_spp..jpg?v=1788252887","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/collections\/vallisneria.oembed","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}