Floating plants

tanker

Fish Fanatic
Joined
Jun 6, 2003
Messages
86
Reaction score
0
Location
Tamworth. UK
In the tank set up below, i was thinking of adding a couple of real plants to my tank. My question is are there any floating plants, for the surface Do i need any extra nutrients, i presume that these dont need to be rooted to the bottom. I have plenty of plastic plants, and thought i'd experiment with some 'top' plants?
easy to look after ones would be good if theres such a thing.

Sorry if its a bit of a dumb question.
 
There are many floating plants which are reasonably easy to grow. Depending on your tank you may need to add some nutrients - make sure you look for fertilisers that don't contain Nitrates or Phosphates as these encourage algae. I personally use JBL Ferropol but there is a lot of choice. You need to have reasonably good lighting for about 10-12 hours per day.

Some plants to look at (all info from www.tropica.com)

Riccia fluitans - Light requirements: low-very high, Hardness tolerance: very soft-hard, pH tolerance: 5-8, Growth: medium, Demands: easy. This plant can also be secured to rocks or wood underwater and will grow towards the surface. As a traditional floating plant offers good protection for young fish.

Ceratopteris cornuta - Light requirements: medium-very high, Hardness tolerance: soft-hard, pH tolerance: 5-8.5, Growth: fast, Demands: easy. Ceratopteris cornuta is suitable as a floating or underwater plant. If a leaf is allowed to float on the surface, small plants form on the leaf margin and can be planted in the bottom. In good light C. cornuta grows fast and helps prevent algae by consuming large amounts of nutrients. This makes it a good starter plant in large aquariums. The roots of the floating plant provide good protection for young fish.

Salvinia natans - Light requirements: high-very high, Hardness tolerance: soft-hard, pH tolerance: 5.5-9, Growth: medium, Demands: medium. Salvinia natans is a floating fern that grows quickly if there is sufficient nutrition and light. Light leaves are a sign of a shortage of micro-nutrients. Thin the plant to stop it taking light from the plants at the bottom. Salvina varieties have small hairs on their leaves, making them water resistant. Helps prevent algae by shading parts of the aquarium and using nutrients in the water.

Hydrocotyle leucocephala - Light requirements: low-very high, Hardness tolerance: very soft-very hard, pH tolerance: 5-9, Growth: fast, Demands: easy. A plant that grows fast and adapts easily, thriving in relatively hard water. Immediately after planting Hydrocotyle leucocephala will grow towards the light and the surface, where it will spread. It does not need to be rooted, but can be used as a floating plant which provides a hiding-place for young fish. (I personally have this as a floating plant in all my tanks - it grows fast and adapts well to most conditions).

HTH, Eddie
 
Cheers Eddie, thats fantastic. :D
Had a look at the tropica site, it must take a lot of experience to get to know all the types! Think i'll go to the lfs and see if they've got either the Riccia fluitans or Hydrocotyle leucocephala in (who thinks of these names?)

Oh, the tank came with some nutrafin plant gro liquid. Will this be enough to add, or is there something else to keep the plants healthy?

Again, thank you for the info!

Chris.
 
Tanker,

I like Leaf Zone Liquid fertilizer for my plants. I add 5ml per 10 Us gallons once a week and my plants love it. co2 is next!!! :D
 
Thanks Tanked. I'll see what the lfs has in tomorrow, as my freebie food is only small.

I'm learning something new everyday with this hobby! Fantastic.
 

Most reactions

Back
Top