Amazon frogbit roots

[AlexT]

Is there any problem if I trim the roots? Most of the roots are about 6 inches now, some are pushing 9 inches I am guessing.

 

[Byron]

Floating plants that develop longer roots indicates that the plant is searching for more nutrients. I found this with my Water Lettuce; in tanks with fish it had decent roots that were about 5 inches or so. But those in the QT tank for newly acquired fish and thus went months without fish present reached down to the gravel, in a 14 inch tank.

I would never trim roots. I know some do, fine, but roots are there for a reason.

 

[AlexT]

Floating plants that develop longer roots indicates that the plant is searching for more nutrients. I found this with my Water Lettuce; in tanks with fish it had decent roots that were about 5 inches or so. But those in the QT tank for newly acquired fish and thus went months without fish present reached down to the gravel, in a 114 inch tank.

I would never trim roots. I know some do, fine, but roots are there for a reason.

Interesting, I had no idea. I am glad I asked now. The tank is heavily stocked fish wise, and I dose the exact required TNC lite once per week. I will monitor, thanks. Currently 70% RO and 30% Tap mix. Temp 76, pH 7.5, GH 7

 

[Byron]

Interesting, I had no idea. I am glad I asked now. The tank is heavily stocked fish wise, and I dose the exact required TNC lite once per week. I will monitor, thanks. Currently 70% RO and 30% Tap mix. Temp 76, pH 7.5, GH 7

This is a small scale photo, but it shows what I have assumed is the normal root growth. My Frogbit certainly did not develop very extensive roots, not at all like the Water Sprite and Water Lettuce. Second photo is my 70g, there are some Frogbit plants centre on the surface.

 

[AlexT]

This is a small scale photo, but it shows what I have assumed is the normal root growth. My Frogbit certainly did not develop very extensive roots, not at all like the Water Sprite and Water Lettuce. Second photo is my 70g, there are some Frogbit plants centre on the surface

Thanks.
Maybe the light intensity is too much and out of balance with the nutrients? I was running the lights at 10 hrs per day for no particular reason, but now it is 8 hours. Might be scope to reduce to 7? x2 LED, one is 4425K and the other 6500K.

 

[powerdyne6]

My frogbit and water lettuce has been in my tank for a few months now. At first I had them in a ring to keep them from moving all over the tank. I noticed while in this ring they didn’t grow at all. As soon as I removed the ring and allowed them to move with the current they took off and were growing like crazy. The roots are about 1 to 3 inches right now. All these plants started out quite small. There are a couple with a 4 inch root.

I notice more leaves growing on the surface than roots becoming longer and longer.

Every week I remove 2 big handfuls to allow the lower plants a little light.

 

[AlexT]

My frogbit and water lettuce has been in my tank for a few months now. At first I had them in a ring to keep them from moving all over the tank. I noticed while in this ring they didn’t grow at all. As soon as I removed the ring and allowed them to move with the current they took off and were growing like crazy. The roots are about 1 to 3 inches right now. All these plants started out quite small. There are a couple with a 4 inch root.

I notice more leaves growing on the surface than roots becoming longer and longer.

Every week I remove 2 big handfuls to allow the lower plants a little light.

Thank you, kind of similar to mine, but now the roots have definitely gone past the 4 inch mark. I am copying in @Mathew1991 as he had his frogbit in a ring too.

 

[Byron]

Thanks.
Maybe the light intensity is too much and out of balance with the nutrients? I was running the lights at 10 hrs per day for no particular reason, but now it is 8 hours. Might be scope to reduce to 7? x2 LED, one is 4425K and the other 6500K.

As long as problem algae is not appearing, the light should be OK.

 

[AlexT]

As long as problem algae is not appearing, the light should be OK.

I was starting to get some on the glass, not loads, the green variety, not brown if it makes a difference. I think reducing from 10hrs will sort that.

 

[Byron]

I was starting to get some on the glass, not loads, the green variety, not brown if it makes a difference. I think reducing from 10hrs will sort that.

Yes, 10 hours is a lot. Eight may work.