Tropical Fish Forums

[Corkiddy]

I was wondering if there were any kinds of plants that would be able to grow on the water surface, perhaps maybe by making a makeshift kind of plant... would wrapping the roots of something like java ferns around some driftwood allow the fern to grow? Just curious as to how to make my dwarf gouramis happier by giving them surface plants
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"color is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammer, the soul is the piano with the strings" - - wassily kandinsky

[supamii]

I have a 10gal with a gourami in there and I simply toss my hygrophilia polysperma clippings in the water (theyre hygros from the 30 gal). it grows slowly, throws out water roots, and starts to grow towards the light for a very interesting look. its probably not the most attractive floating plant, but it does well to provide shade.

[Jon_The_Newb]

Water Lettuce! Pistia stratiotes, this is the only floating plant I have any experiance with. In my 20 gallon, with only a 20W light on it, it grows like mad. It does a great job at casting shadows, but the "down side" might be that it sends roots down that can get quite long, like 4 to 6 inches. These don't seem to bother the fish any, as they just push through them when they want.

If left to its own ends it would cover the entire surface. We end up pulling the older, longer rooted ones about every other month.

Jon

[Corkiddy]

Thanks! I'll definitely be sure to look into those for my tank!
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"color is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammer, the soul is the piano with the strings" - - wassily kandinsky

[Snarf!]

Duckweed.

But if you ever have to get rid of it, you'll have some trouble. It gets everywhere.
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[lindak]

Hornwort is good, grows like crazy and is a good cover for fry. Sucks up xtra nitrates.

[fishy me]

I have heard of people floating driftwood with java moss on it.

[tommyr]

Hornwort and/or anacharis!

Tom

[Sammie7]

Riccia

[tetrabarb]

You could just toss in some water sprite, or anacharis (my anacharis provides good shade!)
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