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Hi all, just a quick question. What does one do with hornwort? I picked some up the other day, and It was just about a 3 foot rope of the stuff looped together and weighted on one end. Does one plant it? leave it laying on top? what? thanks for the help

The choice is up to you. It flourishes either floating or put into the gravel. After you have had it for a while, take notice as to where the plant is growing. You can cut these new strands off start new pieces. This plant is very undemanding and does well with no extra ferts exept your fishes waste. The only thing i have noticed that they dont like is fungus meds. It sheds all their needles off.

Yep, leave it floating or plant it. I would recommend putting it in an area with a little bit more water flow than normal, only because it's very easy for little bits and pieces to get stuck in its needles and start to look messy. And be warned, with enough light and CO2 that 3ft rope will quickly turn into 3 yards etc.

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Back in the saddle!

i had mine floating...they were nice...but..i just couldnt keep them intact...so...aint goin to have any...i better stick with water sprite...easier to take care off (with my experience...but i know hortwort is undemanding..it jsut...not working for me)

hmmm, good info all, thanks. No co2 here and in a low light tank but lots of natural light in the room. what do you mean couldn't keep it intact? did it melt or the needles kep dropping? j/w

Whenever I plant mine they fall apart. All the needles fall off and make a mess. I got tired of the pile of needles collecting everywhere and the gravel vac wasn't sucking them out very well. If I leave it floating it stays a really nice green and no needles come off.

Yes, I see what you mean abut the needles. I planted one and the needles were fallin off in just a few days. hmmm, must be an easier plant around somewheres

Hi,
We don't know much about your tank. I'm curious why you
purchased the Hornwart. Yes, there are easier plants to
have in the tank, and generally, if you "plant" one end
of it, it will fall apart. It's generally considered to
be a floating plant.

Floating plants are usually put in a tank for specific
reasons. To provide shade for shy fish, and to lessen the
strength of the tank light for low light plants. To provide
a foundation for fish that build bubble nests, and to offer
shelter for baby fish. Floating plants derive their
nutrients directly from the water, and as such will work
to lower your nitrate levels.

If you just "liked the look" of the plant then you might
choose one of the cabomba series of plants - provided, you
have strong enough lighting in the tank
(3+watts/per/gallon).

Usually floating plants are left to do just that - float.


Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hornwort is an excellent plant for sucking up nitrates in my lower light tanks where few other plants survive. Especially since it floats at the top near the light but if you are buying more for looks there are plenty of other possibly better choices. You can check tropicahttp://www.tropica.dk/default.asp]http://www.tropica.dk/default.asp[/link], [link=http://azgardens.com/]http://azgardens.com/[/link], or [link=http://www.plantgeek.net/


(Why is my link color keep going back to blue when it's not set on blue?)

Last edited by sham at 02-Aug-2005 19:03

No, I just thought I'd try it to suck up some nitrates and to give live plants another shot. Hornwort seemed an easy plant for low light tanks and I thought I'd give it a shot. that's all.

Last edited by divertran at 03-Aug-2005 11:51