Floating Plants for Beginners

[@soggyfries4347]

not too many people are not aware of the human health benefits aquariums have. Beautiful stuff, guys!!

[@rosemarydudley9954]

..... and here's me pulling plants from a local pond and lake to "plant" in my new tank...I NEVER thought about floating plants (except duckweed) ...what a brilliant idea. Many thanks you two. I have learned something today. Never too old to learn. LOL

[@autumn1231]

I don't think the fish therapy ever took off, I can't find the website. what a wonderful idea though.

[@popitshow3832]

I really appreciate what you're doing giving aquariums to people. No argument about the calming effect. Send me link to your site. I'd like to donate.

[@CalebIsAnOldNerd]

We all float down here Georgie.

[@PincheMigs]

Great vid I love floating plants they are in all my tanks. Dwarf water lettuce is my personal favorite.

[@samanthacasas3091]

What is the easiest to care for? I want one but I need low maintenance

[@ZeethK92]

I love Dwarf water lettuce, the roots look awesome.

[@grock31]

Great to know these floaters have many benefits in and out of the hobby. Thx for sharing guys. 🖖🏻

[@pecktec]

+GDee Cichlids lol sure thing! Live long and prosper.

[@andycowell608]

Water Hyacinth is used in human water treatment facilities.

[@xoxMusikxox]

This is EXACTLY the video I've been waiting for! Couldn't have come at a more perfect time! I am setting up a new 20 gal (upgrade from my 10 gal) and definitely needed some new hardy plant ideas to incorporate into the tank. Thanks for posting!

[@pecktec]

+Morgan Ronan your welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@Herberberber]

Should make a video

[@angelflys1766]

Such a sweet video. God bless you both definitely gonna check out the new channel and will follow to help ptsd patients and children 🙏🏻❤️

[@picklerick4777]

Nice video ty nice to c the different types of floating plants tbh I use duckweed in all my tanks I love it ibuse some air pump tube half way across my tanks and pull some out every to keep under control and I'm pond gold love it as food to

[@MarcelloBranca]

Wow the limnobium look great also the pistia, I like them all

[@SpockBlocked]

This is just the video I needed! I was recommended floating plants for some fry! Thank you!!

[@pecktec]

+DH Aquatics they are great for that for sure!

[@atlanteum]

Forget the plants... that is a bad-ass Star Wars shirt, my friend. '77 all the way -

[@piashadononfroy1261]

STAR WARS ROCK BUT THE PLANTS ARE THE HIGHLIGHT 👌 MY 😂💯 FRIEND💯🤷JBH💕💋💞

[@atlanteum]

@@piashadononfroy1261 Fair enough -

[@FKJ_WORLD]

these are like my favourite type of plants for my ponds.

[@getthatcornouttamyface2461]

You have a nice family Jason, thanks for the video. I have duckweed and more recently dwarf water lettuce that I have in my highly overpopulated guppy tank. I started with one male and one female and five cherry shrimp in my 20 long and now the tank is swarming with guppies and shrimp!

[@wreckstoracecars]

LFS staff mentioned growing lillies in his rimless. He showed me a pic on his phone and it looked really neat. Flowers and all.

[@pecktec]

+Sean Evans I actually meant to talk about those too. Then of course forgot. :/

[@justagirlintheworld6431]

Azolla is the only of those floaters I have not tried, I would like to at some point.. it's really pretty. Also, your pond is so lovely! Thanks for the great info as always and I ordered a shirt! :D

[@pecktec]

+Nancy C thanks Nancy!

[@goodstrong]

Thanks for doing this video! I'm going to update my planted 10 gallon and wondered what to put in it for top water. I'll check their site out for sure once it's up. Love the fact that they are doing it to help others! They got a follow on Facebook and Instagram too!

[@pecktec]

+goodstrong This was our first time meeting too. They seemed like real nice folks.

[@FishForThought]

I'm always anxious when aquatic plants are left out of the aquarium because I had a bad experience of forgetting my anubias out of the tank where they dried up...

[@fishtanktherapy9799]

They are all safe.

[@Datacorrupter234]

i got water lettuce doing great at 55f in my pond, even growing still

[@amandah8048]

Thank you, this was very educational for me, since I'm very new to this.

[@richardportelli1983]

Most of these plants are prohibited in Australia except for duckweed and hornwort.

[@greggmartin8834]

I have had the duckweed problem, ugh. I really enjoy frogbit, it does well in my inside unheated tanks with a least decent light. They can be duckweed like in tank coverage but I find people will desire these. My least killifish adults and fry do enjoy the roots. Thank you for the video!

[@tylerbarrett5]

If a goldfish will get along with the other fish in the tank they destroy duckweed in hours

[@kihntagious]

Great bunch! Thanks!

[@matthewsmith22]

Cool knowledgeable guy, definitely rope him in more! I've dabbled with a few of these but I have a fair amount of surface agitation in my tanks and ponds so never had too much success. Never seen that mosquito fern before, may have to try and get some of that. I did buy a huge vase from Ikea (bladet I think) with a UGF and just vals growing from the bottom and water lettuce roots reaching down from above with tonnes of shrimp, that was a fun setup

[@pecktec]

+matthew smith I've had that mosquito stuff for a little while but had no idea what it was till I met this guy. :)

[@matthewsmith22]

pecktec I went and bought some dwarf water lettuce after I finished watching the video for my Walstad bowl though, worked on me!

[@pecktec]

+matthew smith very cool!

[@paulsmith6182]

Beautiful Black Moscow guppies!

[@deannesherriff3247]

What are the pretty rosettes of leaves in your pond? I think they’re very attractive. Thanks for the very informative videos. 🐡

[@valeriestorm3412]

That's the mosaic plant.

[@HerrWade]

What's the latin name?

[@machellelowry9404]

This was a great video!!!

[@CJBlack265]

AWESOME video! thanks 😎

[@lavvy2585]

Ok, so no duckweed! Nice vid by the way. Just what I needed to hear because I don't have filtration.

[@dlester8641]

good job guys

[@musiclives43v3r]

Note, that a lot of floating plants are classified as pests in many countries and many states in the US. Because of this, you won't find them in your state and reputable sellers won't ship them to you.

[@pecktec]

+musiclives43v3r I did mention that (in text) and included a link in the description to see if your state forbids it.just for the US though. I couldn't find an international one. It would be pretty huge I bet.

[@gcujimmy]

Lol love the Little Shop of Horrors reference at 1:32

[@paulklenknyc]

Great video -- In a 18" high freshwater tank, how many inches of substrate (and what type) do you recommend for floating plants? I like delicate plants, with leaves that are not too big.

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

I put Frogbit in a tank with Rainbows and Red minnows..they ate the Frogbit roots. Funny thing is..they haven't eaten Hyacinth roots. The Frogbit with stubby roots is still green and looking good,if slowed down in growth.

[@ksockhak]

I always wanted floating plants but afraid they might block the lights for the regular plants? can you help?

[@Gabor.P.]

Nice family ! Happy tank and happy fish happy man happy wife, it goes like this right ? I have a floating plant but not bad it never really toke over more then a 1/3 of the tank. But it wasn't any of those your friend brought you. Mine is .... well I have too like it up but similar to the frog ...... blah blah ( Spirodela polyrhiza ) I looked it up. Almost all my fishes feeding on them or nibble on them even the cichlids and the plecos too. Good vid. Sean !

[@pecktec]

Thanks Gabor!

[@jody1828]

Great video! I really loved the mosquito fern, so pretty! Your pond!! Can you please do an update for us? I saw a plant in there that was so gorgeous and I'd love to know what it's called :-)

[@pecktec]

+Jody VanDeBogart yes I'll have an end of season update in two weeks.

[@--Paws--]

I've noticed that some of my water-sprangles (which do have roots that will grow about half an inch) grew a miniature leaf form. I thought it would eventually grow bigger like the rest but it instead spread that strain of small leaves into even more clusters. My ricefish actually put their eggs onto the roots. Cherry shrimp are far too big and drag down the water-sprangles; Amano shrimp will also have a hard time too. However if the cluster is bouyant enough they can float with it as long as they don't move too much.

[@fishtanktherapy9799]

Identification: Free floating, rootless aquatic fern. Horizontal, branching rhizomes float just below the water surface and produce, at each node, two floating to emergent leaves, and a third, submersed leaf that is dissected into filaments. Floating leaves are orbicular to oval in shape, with heart shaped bases and rounded to notched tips. Leaf length ranges from 0.4 to 2.0 cm. Smaller, orbicular leaves lie flat on the water surface; larger leaves become elongated and fold upright on the midrib. Shade grown leaves remain broadly orbicular, and emerald green. Leaves grown in full sun become larger and elongated and often change from emerald green to rusty brown with maturity and senescence. The upper surfaces of floating leaves are uniformly covered with rows of white, bristly hairs. The stalks of each hair divide into four thin branches that are spreading and free at the tips. The branching hairs create a water repellent shield. Long chestnut colored hair coats the underside of floating leaves, the submersed filaments, buds and the rhizome.

[@--Paws--]

Do you know what a water-sprangle is? It is also known as _Salvinia minima_ yet according to them they are rootless.

[@fishtanktherapy9799]

It's a modified leaf, it acts like a root. But it is still classified as a leaf.

[@liamsworld2198]

I love the look of frogbit unfortunately we aren’t allowed to have it in NSW Australia, Also duckweed is really good home grown fish food blend and dry it for bottoms feeders or feed it straight to your fish like gold fish I have buckets all around my house/yard that grow it purely for food for my sons gold fish

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

I love water Hyacinth and was going to get some when Dad made my pond a few years ago but it's banned in the UK now as it's an invasive species, so I missed my chance! 😭

[@beast_gago2660]

Thankyou for posting this video pecktec and should I get my guppies from guppy train or what site

[@Lichen8404]

Did you get your guppies? 👀

[@Possumcods]

I don't know why but you remind me of Snarf from Thundercats. I do like the Snarf out of your videos though.

[@cathyrobidoux9140]

You 2 are great!

[@pecktec]

+Cathy Babe thanks!

[@spags8223]

I love floaters

[@feltersnaatch4258]

S p a g s Eww😖

[@spencer5082]

Enjoyed the video but I Wish you talked more about care for these plants. I have some Frogbit and I'm having problems with it. It's reproducing quick but dying quick also. I think it's from the bubbles from my bubbler getting on it and "burning" it. Would really like to know for sure what's going on. Thanks tho!

[@pecktec]

I keep a lot of Frog bit now. The top of it does better when its dry. Really heathy frog bit is quite rooty also. Some fish chew on it. In tanks with slow water and non root chewing fish it does the best. Like my "face" tank.

[@spencer5082]

pecktec thanks. I appreciate the reply.

[@leticiaflowers2335]

Thank you I purchased some on ebay and I got free mosquito fern I thought they were baby version of the hyacinth I purchased well I am learning I got 2 for the price of one> love that seller!

[@rurutuM]

Execute order 77!

[@EyeoftheWhiteWolf]

I love Black Moscow Guppies, I hope to have some someday. Thank you so much for this video! I love floating plants but I can't seem to keep them alive. Even my duckweed dies! I've been told I have magical powers because I can kill duckweed lol.

[@pecktec]

+Amy P. Please come stick your hand in my 12 gallon. :) it's driving me crazy.

[@chrispy65]

I have the same problem Amy! Duckweed, hornwort, anacharis... It all dies. 😢

[@JesAbella]

My azolla died immediately on ambient light in balcony and artificial light at night for 3 hrs. My frogbits and duckweeds are growing healthy tho.

[@lelanidixon7941]

I've been wanting to try some Frogbit. I really need to get some to see how it does. I'm thinking my Fluval Specs with Betta fish.

[@pecktec]

+Lelani Dixon it's neat bigger than I thought it would be.

[@sharonbendtsen2973]

What is the plant with diamond shaped leaves with the red edges

[@HerrWade]

No the one he has in the pond

[@TheLloydChannel]

Illegal to be in possession of most of these in Florida... ugh!

[@Sekhmet1977]

you need a Borg'd fish shirt!!

[@anitacobb9698]

Thank you for your videos! I just came across you as I was looking for floaties! I have a question about identifying a plant you have at 7:00 as you were talking about Mosquito fern. it looks like diamond starbursts in green or red tucked in between your lilies and mosquito fern. (which I think will be among my next purchases.) But what is that attractive diamond shaped burst of color in your pond?

[@pecktec]

Look up Azolla that’s it’s proper name.

[@anitacobb9698]

thanks!!

[@davidjamesellis99]

So there are 2 main plants at the 7:00 time stamp. The red is the mosquito fern or Azolla. The other is a green one that Anita is talking about. What is that one?

[@KressRudra]

note to self: use duckweed to further slow down flow for betta

[@presouz1740]

He has every single plant that I've been looking for elsewhere with failure where is his link!? Thank you

[@pecktec]

there are tree links for them in the description. :)

[@CogitoBcn]

It's funny that you called "artificial lid" to some floating plants that replace a, so natural, plastic one... 😅👍

[@pecktec]

Good point!

[@matthewzito6130]

Have you tried keeping Elodia/Anachris as a floating plant?

[@orlandohanon7866]

I heard water lettuce taste great with avocado dressing...just saying? Not sure why my tongue is numb though? I wonder.

[@anthonyragan2696]

My concern with floating plants has been cutting off light from plants that need higher light.

[@pecktec]

+Anthony Ragan yeap a very valid consideration. like so many things not always appropriate.

[@anthonyragan2696]

I am planning a low-light tank, soon, though, that water lettuce might just be perfect for.

[@cbh548]

Anthony Ragan you can make some plastic big o-ring which can floating and put your floating plant inside the o-ring and set away plant which's need strong light!

[@sirdukeusa3289]

How do I get dwarf water lettuce? Water Hyacinth? Frog Bit? Salvinia? Do you sell it? I have plenty of hornwort. Hornwort is the only plant I've found so far my goldfish won't eat. I like the mosquito fern,that mosquito fern looks alot like guppy grass would it go good with mosquito fish?

[@akhileshthapa_fishbro86]

Yes... 👍

[@TheRockyMountain]

What camera do you use for the close ups?

[@zzman5306]

Why are my WH leaves and bulbs turning brown?

[@csillakaszas7285]

so I have salvinia! (and a hob filter...)

[@beast_gago2660]

Pecktec my water is perfect for crystal red shrimp but I keep cherry shrimp

[@raymondgoodman9148]

maybe that would be a 'natural lid' as opposed to an 'artificial lid' nyuk-nyuk-nyuk

[@pecktec]

+raymond goodman lol yeah I tripped over my words there.

[@valeriestorm3412]

Beat me to it!

[@giftedhandskreations910]

I have tiger barbs what's the best floating plant I'm new to this plant stuff I'm open to suggestions god bless.

[@pecktec]

My absolute favorite is frog bit.

[@manuj9861]

Hi sir, Do you have seen money plants species where it sail on water like a snack. Yes. Money plant sail on water like a snake. Please reply if you have ever seen such plants.

[@rathman4601]

Would water lettuce poison fish if they nibble or eat it?

[@NTheDragon0]

The fish are safe

[@Datacorrupter234]

im wondering this also

[@thejerry2759]

I have kept it for very very long in my tanks, no casualty ever.

[@mariagarza9628]

I have Water Hyacinth plan seeds. What is the best way to start to grow them?

[@flaviodesignaquariums1690]

I like the frogbit .I've allso keeped an other that looks like frogbit but a bit smaller with smaller greenish roots. "????Is that a MASS plate on the wall?????

[@pecktec]

+Flavio Design Aquairums lol yes Mike from Mass Aquariums slipped in last months my aquarium box.

[@inbedf]

Hey Where I got those plants local here in Massachusetts? I see your number plate, I didn't find in local branded stores..

[@johndeerechic4ever]

I'm scared to try because I dont want snails in my tank, otherwise i would love to have frogbit.

[@KarAashika]

My salvinia minima was nice and big when I got it, they all died off and I'm left with only babies, and they die off before growing big too. Any idea why?

[@pecktec]

Sometimes a lot of surface agitation can bother them.

[@cozygamingandvideos3914]

Wysteria works great for me.

[@pecktec]

+Ghee calliou yes another great one.

[@patrickwingard1927]

Be sure not to use invasive plants plants, folks.

[@MCAQUIN0]

Is it okay to trim those roots?

[@fishoutwithjuno]

I want to work on a company like that

[@shailenleverett5522]

Are all these good with a betta or any one in particular?

[@pecktec]

They are great with bettas. They put their bubble nest underneath.

[@mayleedupuis5771]

A little curious what he meant when he said salvinia minima has no roots. Mine grow bushy roots that are kind of like mini versions of frogbit roots. They're just no where near as long.

[@pecktec]

+Maylee Dupuis I have never kept those. I know there are a bunch of different kinds. Seems like from what I've seen they all have roots. So I'm not sure if he miss spoke (like he meant they were very small) or it was actually one with no roots. I'll ask when I see him next.

[@fishtanktherapy9799]

It's is a modified leaf, often mistaken as a root. Identification: Free floating, rootless aquatic fern. Horizontal, branching rhizomes float just below the water surface and produce, at each node, two floating to emergent leaves, and a third, submersed leaf that is dissected into filaments. Floating leaves are orbicular to oval in shape, with heart shaped bases and rounded to notched tips. Leaf length ranges from 0.4 to 2.0 cm. Smaller, orbicular leaves lie flat on the water surface; larger leaves become elongated and fold upright on the midrib. Shade grown leaves remain broadly orbicular, and emerald green. Leaves grown in full sun become larger and elongated and often change from emerald green to rusty brown with maturity and senescence. The upper surfaces of floating leaves are uniformly covered with rows of white, bristly hairs. The stalks of each hair divide into four thin branches that are spreading and free at the tips. The branching hairs create a water repellent shield. Long chestnut colored hair coats the underside of floating leaves, the submersed filaments, buds and the rhizome.

[@pecktec]

+Fish Tank Therapy ahh ok there you go! Thanks!

[@mayleedupuis5771]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@JustNobodyButME]

It could be that you actually have red root floater and not salvinia. Google images will show you the differences.

[@jaysonscaccia3188]

Are these sustainable with a lighted lid?

[@pecktec]

Yes I would think so.

[@stateniland]

just to get started on LIVE plants.. what is the easiest to just POP in?

[@pecktec]

Anubias is great for that.

[@stateniland]

@@pecktec OK TY!

[@stateniland]

@@pecktec TY very much!

[@stateniland]

@@pecktec OK TY Joe

[@georgiahawghunter9823]

New to live plants. Any special lights needed?

[@master6676]

Yes, each plant has their own requirements just like any other plant. High low and medium light levels.

[@AngellusBlack]

You'll float too!

[@pecktec]

+Angellus Black what's out for storm drains!

[@mimic3178]

if you live in an apartment and want floating plants, but no fish, can they survive in an environment without fish?

[@pecktec]

I would think so.

[@tylerbarrett5]

Just make sure to fertilize them. With fish the waste feeds the plants

[@shoban5037]

I live in southern Arizona and have a container fountain that I was trying to grow water lettuce in. It is very hot here with temp peaking between 105 and 118 degrees in the summer, hence the temperature of my water is pretty warm. I have it shaded but my lettuce is not surviving. Does anyone know of aquatic plants that can tolerate my climate?

[@mgk2020]

Water Hyacinth will grow great. We sell excess by the trash bag full during the summer to local pond shops. I'm in the same arwa as you.

[@ZomBeeNature]

I think most of those won't grow in an aquarium because not enough light

[@vicaroo001]

how do we email our shirt pics? I don't instagram and facebook is Satan. lol

[@LifebyBrianAquatics]

Steampunk GBR shirt?! (0______________0)!

[@pecktec]

+Life by Brian ohh yesss. Link for them in the description.

[@henrystyle4879]

How many hours of light do floating plants do best at?

[@zzman5306]

14-16 hrs a day

[@dianemccarthy5931]

the water lettuce has a vajayjay

[@Lichen8404]

Hehe

[@dlealchicago]

I added more flow to my tank and all my water lettuce died. Is that normal?

[@--Paws--]

The water needs to be calm for the roots to gets some nutrients in the water. If it moves too much, the plant will become stressed from all that movement. It spends its time trying to figure out where it ended up and not get settled. Some plants can tolerate some movement but it shouldn't be too rough. My floaters like stagnant water which causes them to soak up all the fish waste and anything nutritious. It spreads out in calm water but desicates in fast moving current.

[@fishtanktherapy9799]

Most floating plants don't like a lot of water flow.

[@Lucky73678]

Why do my duckweed die.nits crazy

[@navinthomas2169]

is that true 5:47 plant will not produce oxygen please comment down 👇

[@ryannixon4138]

Good luck with the buisness!

[@Orophile_303]

My water lettuce failed they died so fast