Hornwort? floating plants?

[rheann]

I was wondering about Hornwort. I don't really know much about it, I know that pet stores and what not sell it in bunches. How should it be put in a tank? I was thinking about getting some, its very nice looking. Can I just drop it in the tank, and let the current of the water position it, or do I have to plant it? I was thinking of using it just to float at the surface, so I could keep a light on over head and the plants would block the light out from the Axolotls. Are their any other good plants that I could get that wont have to be planted, that will just float at the top? I was thinking about getting some duck weed too. Hmm...

 

[joan]

Hornwort's a good floating plant. You can tie it off on a rock and plant it in bunches too. But if your water is overaerated, it'll all die within a day or two. When it dies, it sheds all its needles individually, and is in general a royal pain to clean up. But it's a really good oxygenator. It's a tossup, I guess. Duckweed needs to be thinned out occasionally, as it can overtake your tank. Elodea's another good floating plant. I've never had luck keeping it alive though.

 

[rheann]

Thanks Joan

I think a little hornwort would do my tank very nicely. Its not too aerated, I can ajust the water flow on my filter. I would like to keep some plants in there to help with the oxegon and to keep the light off my axolotls. I plan to move my new Axolotls into the tank in about two weeks, maybe three. Not sure yet, they are still a little too small and the white one really needs to improve first. Thank you again

 

[joan]

With hornwort, I would suggest not using a filter at all (if you have enough of it). It's really good at removing pollutants (like nitrates), and puts out a lot of oxygen (you can actually see bubbles or foam around it, this is the oxygen). If you do use a filter, one that doesn't do a lot of stirring of the water, like a baffled overhang filter, would be fine.

 

[cynthia]

I agree hornwort is a good floating plant. I had it in my axolotl tank to block the light. I also have it in my goldfish tanks because they don't eat it and they need something to spawn on. I don't trust hornwort enough to not use a filter though.

Keep in mind that if you let it get too thick the light doesn't penetrate down to the deepest part of the plant and it starts to shed its leaves/needles and makes a mess.

I would try a demo piece of it say 12" long for a few weeks just to make sure it will live under your tank conditions.

 

[rheann]

Thanks Joan,Thanks Cynthia

I went to pets mart today to look at the plants, they don't have very good looking live plants

So I will try at Capital Aquarium. They also have that floating water lettuce stuff, i would like to try some of that. i have to wait till this weekend though to go and look if I can get time this weekend. I have an over hang filter, I also have a small internal filter, too small for the 20 gallon, its used for my 10 gallon, which I will also use for my axies if it turns out I have a female in the group, I don't want mass babies. I also saw this plant called Water fern or something, is that also a good plant? Does it need to be planted in the sand? Thanks again guys for your help

The bamboo that I put in the water is causing a lot of Oxegon in the water, the'res lots of bubbles

My axolotl seems happier with it in the water.

 

[cynthia]

Rheann - The real name of the plant would be necessary for comment on 'water fern'.

There is Java Fern that does well in low light.

If you want to check out a great plant reference go to http://www.tropica.com/default.asp

click the species from the menu on the right and just click down the list and read about each plant.

 

[rheann]

Thanks Cynthia

I don't know what the name is for sure, I am going to check out the link you gave me. All I remember is it said water fern on the price tag on the tank, and what lighting it needed, didn't really pay attention, I was having too much fun looking at the fish lol. Anyway, thanks again.

 

[pamela]

Hi Rheann,

I have 3 bunches of hornwort in my 20g tank w/azies.
It has taken over, and I must prune it. Which is great, it will just give me more plants. Hornwort needs light though, otherwise it will turn brown, and fall apart -- not a pretty sight. I have had good luck with it using any filtration system, but not if I do not have a good light sourcs.

Elodea is an around good lowlight tank plant. Of course, it does much better w/light. I plant some of it, and use it also as a floating "mat" for my newts. It gets stringy with age, but you can prune it and use the good ends for starts.

I also love the floating plants such as water lettuce, etc. It doesn't bother me that they "take over'. I just harvest them and grow them in separate containers for future use (or feed them to my goldfish).