Looking for floating plant 12 gallon long

Have recently started a 12 gallon long,so that being said not very deep or wide.I was thinking about getting some floating plants to act as a natural cover/lid. What if any would be a good plant for the type of tank? I currently have 6 Redtail Rasboras in the tank and I think they would appreciate the covering.Thanks

 

Salvinia minima, red root floaters, frog bit and water lettuce (both have longer roots tho)

 

I looked into the Salvinia, think with my small tank it might work well.I was also looking to keep it corralled with a length of air tube to start.

 

I’ve got some westeria I float in my tanks. It will grow across the top and if you chose it can be planted. Also have hornwort which does the same and water lettuce. Pm me if you can (may need 50 post though to pm) I can send these to you for free .

 

Not enough posts, but thanks for the help.I will look into those as well.I think the floating plants with a better dimmable light will get my shy guys moving.

 

Water lettuce would be out of proportion with the tank size it seems. It can get quite large. I agree that Salvinia would look good.

 

Water lettuce would be out of proportion with the tank size it seems. It can get quite large. I agree that Salvinia would look good.

It stays relatively small with lower light, but still grows long roots

 

I also have a 12 gallon long. Just a fair warning; once I added floaters I had to get a second filter because there was a ton of deadspots. One side of the tank was completely still and the surface was coated in a gross film that wouldn’.t break up even when I ran my hand through it.

 

I also have a 12 gallon long. Just a fair warning; once I added floaters I had to get a second filter because there was a ton of deadspots. One side of the tank was completely still and the surface was coated in a gross film that wouldn’.t break up even when I ran my hand through it.

Great point, I had a thought of using airline to create a border to hold the plants in a smaller area, I'll see if that works.
I have Salvinia on the way,I appreciate all the help.

 

Guppy grass ? Its low cost, easy to grow and gives a lot of cover, just be prepared to cut it back often.

 

Hornwort. But put one end into the substrate. It needs to have roots in the soil. Let it rise up and then spread out over the top. But don't keep it free floating- it will slowly die.

 

It stays relatively small with lower light, but still grows long roots

In my experience, water lettuce tends to melt in high lighting and its roots will fall after a short time, unless you are trimming it regularly. I removed mine because they grew too fast that it blocks the light. Another thing I dislike about water lettuce is that its hairy roots, it would be hard to clean these hair like structures once the roots of a water lettuce decays. Frogbits on the other hand does not grow hairy roots, they also have very long roots. however they tend to melt at high temperature.

 

Hornwort. But put one end into the substrate. It needs to have roots in the soil. Let it rise up and then spread out over the top. But don't keep it free floating- it will slowly die.

This isn't true. The opposite is the case. It doesn't need roots and will slowly die if kept rooted. I have some that is free floating and it is around a foot and a half long and lush green.

 

Duckweed is always a good one but it's a nightmare to deal with if you dont make sure to monitor it.

 

Duckweed is always a good one but it's a nightmare to deal with if you dont make sure to monitor it.

I got duckweeds and they always bothers me when I clean my tank.

 

This isn't true. The opposite is the case. It doesn't need roots and will slowly die if kept rooted. I have some that is free floating and it is around a foot and a half long and lush green.

Thanks for that!

 

That’s always what I’ve heard. It will slowly rot the area that is by or in substrate and just doesn’t do good rooted. I always grew it floating.