BoSox Fan7

How do you plant live plants in your tank? Do you just put the roots under the substrate?

Wolfgang8810

depends on the plant but for the most part yes.

sirdarksol

Some plants don't need to be planted at all. A few like to be attached to rocks or driftwood.
But most of them, as wolfgang says, just get planted.

Check out particular plants at plantgeek.net

BoSox Fan7

OK.

capekate

Since BoSoxFan is asking questions about plants, may I add a question of my own that may also benefit BSF?

I hear that duck weed plant is good for fry and eggs protection and also nutrients. I couldnt find any duck weed so bought two bunches of frill plant. I tied the ends up in a small elastic band and have them floating on top of the water.
My question is this:
Can Frill Plant be left to float the top of the tank without being rooted and survive? My lighting is the standard lighting that comes with tank hoods, and figure that by placing the plant on the surface of the water, #1 It will be closer to the light . #2 protection for eggs and fry.

Any thoughts on this, if its a good idea?

~ kate

COBettaCouple

Duck weed has a reputation of being as explosive as snails at the aquarium club here. I've seen some at a LFS here, but not for sale. Usually if there is an aquarium club, you can find members more than glad to supply you with a bag full.

sirdarksol

If you're talking about milfoil when you say frill plant (milfoil is sometimes called frill foxtail), Plantgeek has no info about it.
However, if the stuff is anything like Eurasian Water Milfoil, yes, it will grow without being planted. Aside from that, its setup looks like a type of plant that can grow without being rooted.

capekate

thanks Sirdarksol...
I will see if I can find the scientific name for this frill plant. Im guessing it will be ok as a floater too.
Thanks, ~ kate

Wolfgang8810

sounds like it could be type of cabomoda. carolina fanwort is common in pet stores

capekate

Looked on plantgeek and found the common milfoil, which is called frill plant or foxtail. Looking at the photos, it appears that the one that I have is the common milfoil and not the Carolina fanwort plant.
Thanks for checking for me!

~ kate

sirdarksol

Then I can nearly guarantee you that the stuff will grow un-rooted.

capekate

Thanks! thats great news. Now I can keep it as a floating plant.

~ kate

Barbrella

Seriously. I put some in my big aquarium many years ago and I swear it covered the entire surface in a few days! I could not get rid of it until I moved house and took my tank apart.

If you have duckweed and pond snails. you'll soon need a shovel to clean your tank.

Wolfgang8810

i have snails and boy am i regretting it. BAH!