Plant Advice Please

[HeatherW]

Hi,

I have never had live plants before, and I need some suggested.
I want only floating plants that don't need anything to grow in.
Preferably hardy plants that don't need water conditioners or vitamins either.

My tank has a gravel bottom and lots of plastic plants and ceramic ornaments.
Water is 76-78 degrees fahrenheit, ph 7.3-7.5.
I have platies, swordtails, and a pleco.

I still want open surface water for them to feed off, but I'd like some cover for relaxation and fry to hide in.

Can someone suggest plants for me to look up?

Heather

 

[Annastasia]

Here's a list of floating plants: http/www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.p...y=7&filter_by=6 You can look through there and see what meets your requirements.

 

[Weaver]

Im beginning to sound like the president of the hornwort appreciation society but I think this is the greatest plant to have in a livebearer tank.Low light requirements and easy to grow.It provides brilliant cover for fry .Just chuck it in and forget about it.
I noticed Annastasias link dosent bring up hornwort directly but if you go in to that site and put hornwort into the search function it will bring it up.

 

[Annastasia]

I think the reason they didn't put it in, is sometimes it can be planted and sometimes it floats. I think those are just the technical floating plants. Any plant can float if you don't root it down, after all.

I agree though, hornwort is a nice plant. I, have never been able to keep it, but maybe you'll have better luck!

Im beginning to sound like the president of the hornwort appreciation society...

*bows down* Good day President Hornwort.

 

[Weaver]

[/quote]

*bows down* Good day President Hornwort.
[/quote]
Dont worry ,if I become president I will get you a cushy job somewhere they have loads of tropical fish
Ive just came in and discovered another 8 fry hiding at the top of the hornwort which I have moved to the fry tank.Its just such a great plant at providing cover.Ive got a few livebearer in some of my other tanks which dont have this plant and have never even seen a fry in them never mind been able to save them.
I have watersprite and java moss and although these are good easy to grow plants neither provide the same amount of cover IMO-and java moss aint a floater.

 

[JoLtNbolt]

Here's some Hornwort Info:

Hornwort is one of the most valuable plants for use in livebearer tanks as it likes hard water and is totally rootless. It will thrive in bare tanks providing browsing material for the adults, and food and shelter for any fry.

The plants stems tend to float just below the surface of the water and can reach over a metre in length in the aquarium. Whilst growing best under good light it does not seem to cut out much light to plants below it, these seem to grow as normal. It will survive quite low light levels but growth is very slow or non existent. It is slower growing a lower temperatures and will form thicker leaves which give it the appearance of a different species. Either can be used as it will adapt to the temperature provided. In ponds it forms thick buds in the Autum that sink to the bottom which give the impression that it has been killed by the frost but come spring these will grow back into the long stems slowly filling up the pond. It grows continually in the tropical aquarium and if conditions are to its likening can form dense forests into which fry may escape, penetration being slow or denied to adult fish. Whilst light clumps will provide a refuge for harassed adults. Fairly tough but long stems will snap if roughly handled. Propagation is by division and is easy as even the smallest piece of stem will eventually grow into a new plant. It excretes substances toxic to algae (allelopathic behaviour) and at good growth conditions it efficiently inhibits most algae growth.

You can often find it and other floating plants for sale here http/www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auc...cgi?liveplantsf

I bought 2 bunches of hornwort on aquabid, and it grew like crazy. I've since given plenty away to friends, and sold plenty on aquabid. My female bettas love to hide in it, and I haven't had any algae problems since I've had it in my tanks.

You may also want to consider other floating plants like duckweed, najas, java moss, salvinia, water lettuce

 

[HeatherW]

That horwort stuff is gorgeous!

I think I'll go with that.

Duckweed covers more of the surface than I want with using flake foods.

My other thought was java moss, but not if it sinks.
Too much trouble with siphoning.

Thanks all,
Heather

 

[JoLtNbolt]

Heather,

I could probably send you a few cuttings for free, as long as you pay for shipping. I don't have much right now as 2 people just purchased some from me on aquabid, and I need to package and ship theirs out on Monday. Not sure what the shipping cost is to Vancouver, or if there are any regulations concerning shipping plants to Canada from the US. You might be able to find it at a local pet or fish store.

 

[Jayrod7]

what are your lighting conditions?

 

[HeatherW]

Jayrod,
The tank is in an upper floor bedroom with a large window that faces the house next door.
Plenty of natural light, no direct sunlight.

It has a fluorescent light in a hood. Just whatever regular tubes come with them.
I can replace with special bulbs if needed, though I'd rather keep it simple.

JoLtNbolt,
I need to check a few more stores for hornwort, before I order online, or pay you for shipping.
Thank you for the kind offer by the way.
I'm not sure about the rules regarding shipping to Canada, but Vancouver is a major city near the border.

Later,
Heather

 

[JoLtNbolt]

I think alot of the hornwort sold in stores is the stiff brittle dark forest green kind that was grown in cold outdoor ponds. That's what I got on aquabid. My tank is usually kept around 79F or so, and all of my new growth has been soft and bright green. Don't worry if the hornwort at the store looks ugly, it will change if you keep a warmer tank with lots of light.