FishProfiles.com Message Forums

-I've read complaints that duckweed can take over a tank...would it satisfy plant eating fish or should I just avoid it?

-I'd like to try attaching Anubias to wood; does it tend to grow as a tall plant or more bushy, spread out?

-My first planted bulb (Madagascar lace) was a success but unfortunately my loaches chewed a number of holes in it. I replanted it another tank...will moving it affect its growth? Should I remove the affected leaves or let them be?

-I've always attached java moss to wood; does it actually float if left alone?

-Any opinions on these floating plants: frogbit, salvinia, floating heart, fontinallis? I'm looking for something for my guppy tank other than hornwort or anachris for fry to hide in. It's a 10g with two screw-in flourescent bulbs.

As always, thanks

~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I'll leave the floating plant questions to someone with more experience in that are, as I have none, but here are the ones I can answer:

-I'd like to try attaching Anubias to wood; does it tend to grow as a tall plant or more bushy, spread out?

It definitely depends on the species of Anubias. Nana will stay small and bushy while Barteri will get much taller. Both are pretty commonly seen in lfs's.

-My first planted bulb (Madagascar lace) was a success but unfortunately my loaches chewed a number of holes in it. I replanted it another tank...will moving it affect its growth? Should I remove the affected leaves or let them be?

Usually the growth of any plant will be affected if it is moved. Sometimes it will go through a die off - and then grow back, but usually growth is just slowed for a while. As usual, any dead leaves should be removed.

-I've always attached java moss to wood; does it actually float if left alone?

Java moss gets it's nutrients from the water column, so it should float and be ok, but I've always thought it looked silly floating in the lfs tanks, so I always tried to attach it to something. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, because I haven't ever let it float for any length of time.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

As far as Java Moss floating, maybe it depends on your definition of floating. I'd say it kind of floats on the bottom. It'll move sideways with currents (like towards a filter intake), but it will not float on the top if that's what you mean.

Doug

I've read complaints that duckweed can take over a tank...would it satisfy plant eating fish or should I just avoid it?

- some plant eating fish will eat the roots of duckweed but not to kill it..it will grow back....duckweed has that bad reputation....but its easy to sccop them out and throw it in the garbage...i have some in my tank...mine..doesnt grow like weed...but they slowly multiplying.

-I'd like to try attaching Anubias to wood; does it tend to grow as a tall plant or more bushy, spread out?

- it could be both ways...IMO...mine is spreading out more than growing tall...i attached mine to driftwoods and rocks.

My first planted bulb (Madagascar lace) was a success but unfortunately my loaches chewed a number of holes in it. I replanted it another tank...will moving it affect its growth? Should I remove the affected leaves or let them be?

- it will undergo adjustment momentarily....but soon..it will start growin again...

I've always attached java moss to wood; does it actually float if left alone?

- some parts will separate from the main specially if theres water movement...and during cleaning....as i gravel vac...i just swoop it on top and some pieces got sucked in...and i see moss now...all over my tank...growing slowly.

Any opinions on these floating plants: frogbit, salvinia, floating heart, fontinallis? I'm looking for something for my guppy tank other than hornwort or anachris for fry to hide in. It's a 10g with two screw-in flourescent bulbs.

- ive heard abt gud things on salvinia and fontinallis but never had those....i have watersprite and my platy fry love it...and..its a beauty to look at, spreading its "wedgy" leaves on the surface.

Yes, Duckweed will outgrow the tank, but you can scoop some out, everytime you do the water changes.

Aunbias look really cool attached to wood. They are slow growers & you must be patient. Here are some pictures of mine:- http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Photo%20Booth/60330.html



http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buzaqq/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

-I've read complaints that duckweed can take over a tank...would it satisfy plant eating fish or should I just avoid it?

Don't think fish would eat it. But the Salvinia you mention below might be a better option, pretty plant.

-I'd like to try attaching Anubias to wood; does it tend to grow as a tall plant or more bushy, spread out?

Kinda depends on the species but most do a bit of both. Spread out but get a little taller as they spread. If you are tying to wood you can help the plant do what you want. The rhizome tend to grow in a straight line. So if you want width when tying it have the rhizome horizontal, want height the rhizome can be vertical , just make sure the growing tip of the rhizome is pointing upwards.

-My first planted bulb (Madagascar lace) was a success but unfortunately my loaches chewed a number of holes in it. I replanted it another tank...will moving it affect its growth? Should I remove the affected leaves or let them be?

Madagascar Lace - sure the holes are chewed Ok, bad joke. This plant is temperature sensitive as long as the new tank is not warmer then the previous tank it should be ok. They don't like water too warm.

-I've always attached java moss to wood; does it actually float if left alone?

It'll just derift around rather then float. Can become become messy if there's a lot. It'll get tangled up with other plants, clog filter intakes etc, best to keep it tied down.

-Any opinions on these floating plants: frogbit, salvinia, floating heart, fontinallis? I'm looking for something for my guppy tank other than hornwort or anachris for fry to hide in. It's a 10g with two screw-in flourescent bulbs.

How about some Riccia left floating ? It sticks together and forms thick wads (about an inch thick) should have enough gaps for fry to hide in.
As for the others I'd imagine whichever has the thickest/longest root system would be the best for the fry, not sure which one that would be though.



Last edited by bensaf at 15-Jun-2005 21:42

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

My fish love to eat duckweed along with the applesnails. I used to buy plants specifically from the tanks infested with duckweed at the lfs so my congo tetras could have a feast. Also the gourami, danios, swordtails, and angelfish would eat some. Whatever was left the snails would suck down when it drifted too close to the sides. The problem with adding large amounts of it to a tank is that the filters will push it down and it will get stuck to the intake. This happens with my whisper, penguins, aquaclear, and cannister filters. I would suggest only using it in fry tanks with little to no filtration and adding the amount your fish will eat that day to other tanks.

Theresa,
Duckweed - well, I had a small peice of a large duckweed in my 10g tank. Within 3 months, no light could penetrate through the duckweed.
It has taken me almost a year, and I moved and removed any duckweed I could see, and I still have crops of it cropping up in the 10g tank.
It is gross, nasty stuff, great for a pond, leave it there.


Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

-I've always attached java moss to wood; does it actually float if left alone?

As has been mentioned it'll get itself tangled up in just about anything it can, filter intakes, hair algae, plants....or the substrate. Because it does tend to get picked up by a small current I always have it end up in my intakes so I try to keep it under a piece or two of gravel till it's rooted itself to them.
On the duckweed issue...I think I remember seeing in Exotic Aquatics that they have it listed as an invasive in maryland...could have been another plant though :%).

^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel.
The life, the love, You die to heal.
The hope that starts, The broken hearts...
I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool.
I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new."
[link=*refighting lost battles*]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link]