Micro-Lillies

[nurglespuss]

Hi all, I try to include floating plants in most of my tanks (love the eclosed sense it gives), but for this nano, most floating plants are not a good idea, as they block too much light (unless I curtail them to one area of the tank surface somehow).

Are there any micro-lily species that would grow in a nano, as I think these would be much easier to control?

Thanks

 

[KittyKat]

You're probably wanting something like Nymphaea thermarum.. but it would be impossible to get hold of for most people who don't work on propagating it at Kew Have you looked at Salvinia species as an alternative?

 

[nurglespuss]

You're probably wanting something like Nymphaea thermarum.. but it would be impossible to get hold of for most people who don't work on propagating it at Kew Have you looked at Salvinia species as an alternative?

Hi there, thank you I have soem friends working at Kew... might be doable!

Salvinia would be a good option, but I think I would need to install a tank divider, to ensure that enough light gets to the internal plants

--edit-- oh was the one from the BBC the other day, lol, no I wont be sneaking any cuttings of that! but i wonder if there are any related species out there...

 

[KittyKat]

As far as I know, there are no other "nano" sized species, the next smallest seem to be with 10-13cm leaves.

In my experience, it is moderately easy to keep Salvinia under control - by fishing out any excess. Or as an alternative, a single water lettuce plant? Again, I found it to be relatively easy to keep just the one by pruning off any plantlets, altho the few times I did neglect it when keeping it in small tanks, it did a good job of cutting off the light.

 

[Curiosity101]

How about duckweed, that stuff is tiny.

 

[nurglespuss]

Good call on the Lemna...

will it be ok at 78F..?

Hmm well theres plenty of it growing around here, and fish love to eat it... so yes I think that might be the answer!

 

[Curiosity101]

Well if you can get some for free then it's worth a try regardless, but I do think it should be fine at 78F

 

[OohFeeshy]

There's another duckweed species, Lemna trisulca, that grows much more slowly and won't block the surface as much. Floats just below the surface. Looks nice too.

 

[nurglespuss]

Thats a lovely looking little plant, and looks 'nano-able' too...

Havent found anywhere selling it yet, it probably grows just over the border...

Anyone in the midlands have soem growing near by they wouldn't mind sending?

 

[Curiosity101]

Which one? The bog standard duckweed or Lemna trisulca? Oh and just a note, Jubilee campus has loads of the stuff growing in the waterways around the buildings... unless they've cleared it again that is.

Oops just checked your profile, I presumed you were based in the midlands due to asking if anyone in the midlands had any. Have you not checked ebay? There should be loads there.

 

[nurglespuss]

Hi there, in Wales we tend to get Lemna minor (duckweed) and not Lemna trisulca, whereas in the mid-lands I know its fairly endemic, or at least present in a high proportion of slow waters...

Hence asking about the midlands

I've checked ebay, and theres no Lemna trisulca on there, loads of Lemna minor though! I should start gathering and selling it!

I've also just seen water caltrop as part of a deal on zooplus, which is very tempting if I can find it on its own!

 

[OohFeeshy]

http/www.bromfieldaquatics.co.uk/store/floating-plants-558-0.html

seems to have it, also

http/www.waysideaquatics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=202&products_id=788

 

[nurglespuss]

Thanks!