Plant recommendations please?

So I would like to have a floating plant that grows nice roots downwards so that I have something pretty in the top part of my tank and to provide extra hiding spots for any fish I get . I love the Red root floater and frogbit. However, I obviously have plants in the tank so I don't want the light to get blocked too much. My question is how can I keep either of these plants contained to maybe half the surface or maybe in the two back corners? I read about fishing line but how do I do that? Also, if anyone has any other recommendations for getting the top part of my tank to not look so plain and more fish friendly I'm all ears! Oh I'll also say that I'm flirting with the idea of ditching the hood and getting a better light so I can enjoy any plants I have floating.

Thanks!!

 

Just have a floating peice of metal or something else and mount it with suction cups, so that way they can't get past, unless you don't trim down the plants regularly and it's flooded with plants.

 

Dwarf water lettuce might be nice.

 

You could use Frogbit and Red Root Floater in your setup. Just setup an enclosed airline tubing ring (sorry if this is not the correct terminology for what I am talking about) to prevent the floaters from covering the entire surface. The ring will float on the top of the water and prevent the floaters from entering within the ring. The open area will, of course, allow light to penetrate the water column for your other plants normally. It is a very nifty trick I have seen many people use in their setups and you get the best of both worlds.

 

Dwarf water lettuce might be nice.

I really think they are beautiful but I read that they are nutrient hogs and are known to kill off established plants? I also read they can mess with water permaters and something about mosquitos liking them. They sound like too much maintenance. But they are beautiful to look at!

You could use Frogbit and Red Root Floater in your setup. Just setup an enclosed airline tubing ring (sorry if this is not the correct terminology for what I am talking about) to prevent the floaters from covering the entire surface. The ring will float on the top of the water and prevent the floaters from entering within the ring. The open area will, of course, allow light to penetrate the water column for your other plants normally. It is a very nifty trick I have seen many people use in their setups and you get the best of both worlds.

So I just watched a video of someone doing that and yes that is a cool trick!! Could I do it the opposite way and contain the plants IN the ring instead? I can picture a few smaller rings with the plants in them looking nice! Is there any reason this wouldn't work?

 

So I just watched a video of someone doing that and yes that is a cool trick!! Could I do it the opposite way and contain the plants IN the ring instead? I can picture a few smaller rings with the plants in them looking nice! Is there any reason this wouldn't work?

I really don't see why not. As long as the ring is suctioned in place somehow to prevent them from moving and there is not too much light blockage you should be good to go!

 

I really don't see why not. As long as the ring is suctioned in place somehow to prevent them from moving and there is not too much light blockage you should be good to go!

Oh actually I have a few floating feeding rings. They came in a 4 pack and I only needed one so they might be perfect!! Thanks!