Echinodorus tenellus for a 10g tank.

Mmmmm,
I have no real experience with Pygmy chain sword except when it died in my tank before I started using CO2. This one will need CO2, grows relatively fast and spreads by runners. Best to plant them with some space between each plant (3-4 inches). Another important point is to plant them a half inch to an inch away from the glass, runners reach the glass pretty quickly. One every four inches in a tank that's 24 by 12, add a few for good luck = two dozen.

 

Hi,

Echinodorus tenellus, which, unfortunately, is being renamed to Helanthium tenellum, grows like the weed it is with reasonable light and a rich substrate.

Its height is very dependent on the conditions in which is is grown. I have it in most of my tanks, and it's height ranges from an inch or two to about 10 inches. If you want to use it as a carpet, be sure it isn't crowded and has enough light or it will become a background plant.

Its runners also have to be pruned because under good conditions it will spread rapidly to places where you don't want it.

Bill

 

It is a bit high for a carpet I think. It grows 5 inch tall easy. Further don't keep it to dense becouse it stops the flow go trough it and then it get algae.
Beside that it grows like weed in a CO2 thank never tried it on a non CO2 tank. But my guess is it does grows very well on exel.

 

If you are still considering plants, this might be an option.

http://www.tropica.com/advising/plant-articles/pogostemon-helferi-.aspx

 

The helferi is indeed a good alternative. I have both en the helferi looks great but I am not sure about the tenellus, it grows fine but the look does not fit my scape. Maybe I dump it.
I hear a lot of people complain about the helferi. It dies on them or have very little grow. But when you give it enough nutrients it grows very easy en fast enough.