floating plant for african cichlids

[davidmoss1992]

Well its a quick ?, but what are some floating plants, That will do good with t5 lighting, preferably has roots growing into water and not fern or duckweed looking. Any ideas?

 

[Terrance]

Water lettuce. It's very effective for filtering your water in between weekly water changes.

 

[davidmoss1992]

wont the cichlids destroy it?

 

[bruinsbro1997]

You can try red root floater or azolla if you want something that will really float. Hornwort can float and will grow like a weed.

 

[Convict2161]

I'll let ya know, just picked up a bunch of different floating plants from a member here. Will have them next week. I'll keep ya posted.

 

[davidmoss1992]

i appreciate it guys, definitely keep me posted. can you trim the roots on red root floater plants if they start to get to long?

 

[FastFly67]

The roots on red root floaters can be trimmed although it's very unlikely that will happen especially in a cichlid tank. I second the vote for dwarf water lettuce. unchecked the roots can grow to the bottom of the tank but again, very unlikely in a cichlid tank.

 

[Lowryder]

I had dwarf water lettuce in my tank with my cichlid. They really don't bother floating plants bbecause cichlids swin in mid and lower levels

 

[davidmoss1992]

Well I appreciate the help everyone and I think ill give the dwarf water lettuce a try, one I find some.

 

[Terrance]

It grows very fast. I got mine because 2 other hobbyist throws a handful of them in the trash every week.

 

[davidmoss1992]

I found 5 bunches for $9.00 shipped. I figure ill give it try + thinking about getting 5 anubas for like $15.00. Now that im looking. I want to go planted.lol ebay

 

[Convict2161]

I found 5 bunches for $9.00 shipped. I figure ill give it try + thinking about getting 5 anubas for like $15.00. Now that im looking. I want to go planted.lol ebay

You won't regret it!! Enjoy. Personally I think Cichlid tanks look killer when planted.



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Oops!! lol sorry just realized we talked in two different threads about the tank and plants lol. Oh well another picture lol. Here's more then.



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[davidmoss1992]

Well I dont mind, man your tanks cool. Did you get the anubius (bad speller) to grow strait on the slate pieces? Whats that vine looking plant ?

 

[FastFly67]

check aquabid
you might get a bit better prices there

 

[davidmoss1992]

i appreciate the new sight.

 

[Terrance]

Slowly add the low-light plants (anubias and/or java fern). If you let water lettuce get out of control, they will soak up all the nutrients in the water and leave the low-light plants with nothing.

 

[manbeast]

hydrocotyle leucocephala, or Brazilian pennywort might be a good choice it can be used anchored or floating and can grow a couple of inches a day under good conditions. it grows like a chain of lily pads and drops dangling roots at each leaf junction along the stem and seems nearly indestructible

 

[manbeast]

sorry meant to add photos but my phone won't let it happen right now

 

[davidmoss1992]

I think thats what im going to use, that pennywort is a good looking plant!