Is Elodea A Good Plant To Put In The Tank?

[FishBlast]

I want to get one of those and let it float somewhere in the tank at the top, especially in the corners. I've read on this forum that it helps consume some of the ammonia (and being a plant, should consume nitrates too), so would it be a good plant to buy for a small (6 gallon) tank? I don't have illumination during the night though, so will it die?

I've had this kind of plant before, but my fish ate most of it.

 

[Cazgar]

Elodea prefers cooler temperatures, & doesn't do too well in tropical tanks.
Cabomba might be better for you

 

[lock77]

Never had a problem with Elodea and cabomba is very hard to keep in 1 piece. As long as you have a light on during the day they will be ok. They need the lights off for photosynthesis.

 

[FishBlast]

Elodea prefers cooler temperatures, & doesn't do too well in tropical tanks.
Cabomba might be better for you

Well, that wouldn't be a problem during winter, I don't have a heater. But during summer, it won't like it.
I need a good floating plant, something that stays at the surface. Another option would be something like a tiny lotus, but again it risks getting damaged. Last one I had ended up in a vase because the fish tore it apart... No idea what exactly it was but sure looked like lotus and made some small pink flowers.

 

[Paradise3]

Elodea prefers cooler temperatures, & doesn't do too well in tropical tanks.
Cabomba might be better for you

Not always true as I have Elodea in 2 of my tropical tanks and it's growing new stems and roots.

 

[Cazgar]

I've never been able to keep Elodea in my tanks, Cabomba grows like wildfire for me, I suppose it's different for everyone

 

[Paradise3]

I've never been able to keep Elodea in my tanks, Cabomba grows like wildfire for me, I suppose it's different for everyone

Just about any plants grow in my tanks... Cabomba, Elodea, Anubia's... I don't know of anything that could 'cause this apart from the fact that my natural Nitrate is about 30-40ppm but when I test my tank water it's a steady 20ppm.

 

[FishBlast]

I've always lost my plants due to fish chowing on them. At least the Xiphos / Guppies liked it.

 

[Fishy friend2]

I have have more luck with high maintenance plants in my tank that I usuually can't grow than with elodea, so yes everything is different for other people IME the fastest growing plant that I've ever had is hornwort, and Hygrophila polysperma. These are great plants. And IMO are much more attractive than elodea

 

[FishBlast]

I have have more luck with high maintenance plants in my tank that I usuually can't grow than with elodea, so yes everything is different for other people IME the fastest growing plant that I've ever had is hornwort, and Hygrophila polysperma. These are great plants. And IMO are much more attractive than elodea

I'm just looking for a floating plant that will occasionally provide a good source of food and hideout for my swordtails but also mask the ugly filter.

 

[Fishy friend2]

Yeah, they are also really good floating plants too, and can stand many different water conditions and also help a lot with ammonia

 

[FishBlast]

Yeah, they are also really good floating plants too, and can stand many different water conditions and also help a lot with ammonia

Well, it's either that or a lotus then, not sure about duckweed... Should make the atmosphere more lively. At least until I get a 12 gallon tank.

 

[sona98765]

You should get some Hornwort
Inexpensive,sucks up nitrates an are nice looking

 

[FishBlast]

You should get some Hornwort
Inexpensive,sucks up nitrates an are nice looking

Yeah but, does it float? (and survive like that?)
Also, does it suck some ammonia?

 

[Fishy friend2]

I just said that hornwort floats and sucks up ammonia