Corkscrew Vallisneria – Twisted-Leaf Val for Natural Planted Tanks, No CO2

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Its job in your tank: root feeder, midground. Spiraling ribbons that spread on their own. Corkscrew Val (Vallisneria sp.) grows tightly twisted, ribbon-like leaves, a textured midg round accent that fills in by runners. The leaves reach about 8–20 inches depending on the form. The problem Vals are sold as "easy", then melt in the first weeks, and most people pull them out just before they recover. How it fits the Father Fish Method Father Fish has kept fish for more than 70 years, and his method has helped thousands of aquarists build tanks that run on biology instead of bottles. A layer of living soil (Aqua Preta Complete Substrate) sits under a sand cap and feeds rooted plants for years. You plant heavily on day one and skip the CO2, liquid fertilizers and root tabs. Then the plants, the soil and the tiny life in them balance the tank. Corkscrew val's runners travel through the sand cap and feed from the soil, and it thrives without the liquid carbon vals can't tolerate. Father Fish says: "Start a new tank with stems and vals. Big plants in the back, small in the front. Plant heavily at the start." Your plan Plant it in the sand cap, crown at the sand line. Roots go about one inch into the sand, not into the soil, and the crown stays at the surface of the sand. Expect melt. Leaves often die back after a move. Keep the crown in place, and it resprouts in about 2–3 weeks. Let the runners go. New plants appear along runners. Remove whole old leaves rather than cutting them partway. What you get 1 plant, bare root Height about 8–20 inches depending on the form, midground Medium light. About 68–82°F. Why it matters Pull it during the melt and you lose it. Wait three weeks and it fills in by itself. FAQ Why is it melting? That's normal after shipping. Keep the crown. How deep do I plant it? Crown at the sand line. Is it the same as Jungle Val? No. It's smaller and twisted. Can I trim it? Remove whole leaves rather than cutting them. How long should I run my lights? Father Fish's rule for a new tank: lights on 24 hours a day for the first 4 days, then 10–12 hours a day. Show more