Floating plants. Rule of thumb for surface coverage percentage?

[ClownLurch]

Is there a generally accepted max surface coverage area? I don’t want to be depriving the substrate plants from light and the Salvinas spreading very quickly.

I’ve got Frogbit, Water Lettuce and Salvina at the moment. Salvias growing wildly. If I didn’t have it corralled into some airline rings the whole surface area would be covered. As it is I’ve had to make an empty airline ring beneath the feeding flap already and the plants only went in three weeks ago.
My gut feeling is there’s too much.
Ive searched back 30 pages in the plant section for info but couldn’t find any help. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Flushable Pets]

I guess it all depends on what fish you're keeping, the light requirements of submerged plants, water flow issues and your own personal preferences.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I keep anywhere from 50% (usually) all the way down to 20%. It all depends on how you want the tank to look, and how much shadow you want.

I grow Salvinia.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Is there a generally accepted max surface coverage area? I don’t want to be depriving the substrate plants from light and the Salvinas spreading very quickly.

I’ve got Frogbit, Water Lettuce and Salvina at the moment. Salvias growing wildly. If I didn’t have it corralled into some airline rings the whole surface area would be covered. As it is I’ve had to make an empty airline ring beneath the feeding flap already and the plants only went in three weeks ago.
My gut feeling is there’s too much.
Ive searched back 30 pages in the plant section for info but couldn’t find any help. Any advice would be appreciated.

I think I'm probably 2 weeks behind you with this.. I threw a load of frogbit and salv in because i was getting impatient at creating some cover. Ive quite a bit of anubias that require lower light, however ive other plants that need more.. so when the inevitable happens and the whole surface is covered, I'll need to create some airline tubing rings of empty space above the areas that do need light, is what I'm thinking

 

[Retired Viking]

I have mostly ferns so there is enough light coming through the salvinia, you also have light coming through the front and sides of the tank to consider.

 

[ClownLurch]

Hmmm. You mean I’ve got to think for myself! It’s never been a strong point I must admit.

 

[Retired Viking]

Hmmm. You mean I’ve got to think for myself! It’s never been a strong point I must admit.

I know you can do it, have faith in yourself