Ideas for low tech floater plants

[joeyr188]

I need some ideas for low tech floater plants (not duckweed)

 

[Coryking]

I can agree with your choice on duckweed. do any of these seem suitable, Water lettuce, sylvania, Amazon frogbit, Ricca.

 

[GaryE]

Najas, "guppy grass". Great stuff.

 

[anewbie]

hornworth, frogbit, red root floaters, pearl weed, water lettuce.... they all grow to excess in my low tech aquariums.

 

[AquaBarb]

ceratopteris cornuta (water sprite)
Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce)
Limnobium laevigatum (frogbit)

 

[joeyr188]

I can agree with your choice on duckweed. do any of these seem suitable, Water lettuce, sylvania, Amazon frogbit, Ricca.

I like the sylvania and the Amazon frogbit imma look into them more.

 

[anewbie]

I like the sylvania and the Amazon frogbit imma look into them more.

Just remember they can object to strong current and the stronger the light the happier they are - i have some frogbit under a flood light and it is a monster.

 

[joeyr188]

Just remember they can object to strong current and the stronger the light the happier they are - i have some frogbit under a flood light and it is a monster.

Wouled fertilizer be efficient to?

 

[Coryking]

100% it would be effective. It boosts my floating plant growth massively

 

[joeyr188]

100% it would be effective. It boosts my floating plant growth massively

What brand do you use and is it true it can harm the fish?

 

[Coryking]

What brand do you use and is it true it can harm the fish?

Not true at all maybe if you over dose but that is pushing it. I use API leaf zone works wonders and it lasts a long time.

 

[anewbie]

Wouled fertilizer be efficient to?

You don't need a lot of fertilizer but a bit depends on what is in your water. I have some in a pail with a strong light and usually i don't bother to put fertlizer in it.

 

[joeyr188]

You don't need a lot of fertilizer but a bit depends on what is in your water. I have some in a pail with a strong light and usually i don't bother to put fertlizer in it.

I don’t have a strong light so I’m looking at different options

 

[Byron]

Nutrients occur from feeding the fish and water changes. The primary source of "hard" minerals like calcium especially and magnesium is the water change, so the GH of your water is a factor. Floating plants are very fast growing, which means they need lots of "food." Supplementation of nutrients (plants require 17 of these) is usually beneficial, sometimes mandatory, depending upon the light, fish load and plant species and numbers. A comprehensive supplement is the best option for floaters as it ensures everything is available. You aree in WA state, so you should be able to track down Seachem or Brightwell Aquatics, in fish stores or online. Seachem manufacture an excellent comprehensive, Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium which I have been using for over 12 years. Brtightwell Aquatics manufactures FlorinMulti which is much the same. Either of these are your best bet.

As for fish, yes, these things do affect them, more the soft water species that hard water, but provided you do not overdose you are OK. Get the smallest bottle of whichever you select of these two, it will last months as you use so little. Be certain to get the exact same name of either product, as they make several very different (and some downright dangerous) products under these brand names.

 

[Byron]

I don’t have a strong light so I’m looking at different options

If this refers to the tank light, can you give us any data? Intensity is usually not a problem as the plants are right under the light, but spectrum is very important for photosynthesis.