Best Floating Plants For Tropical Aquarium
Keeping an aquarium is an exciting hobby that many people enjoy. The beauty of a well-maintained aquarium is undeniable, and one way to enhance its beauty is by adding floating plants. Not only do they add a natural look to the aquarium, but they also provide a wide range of benefits for your aquatic friends.
Benefits of Floating Plants in Tropical Aquarium
Floating plants are not just for aesthetics, they also offer numerous benefits to the aquatic environment. Some of the benefits of having floating plants in your aquarium include:
- Providing cover and hiding spots for fish and other aquatic creatures
- Reducing the amount of light that enters the aquarium, which helps to control algae growth
- Helping to oxygenate the water by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis
- Providing a food source for herbivorous fish and other aquatic creatures
- Helping to stabilize the water temperature by providing shade
Best Floating Plants for Tropical Aquarium
There are many different types of floating plants to choose from, but not all are suitable for a tropical aquarium. Here are some of the best floating plants for a tropical aquarium:
1. Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Water lettuce is a popular floating plant that is easy to care for and can grow up to 20cm in diameter. It has light green leaves that resemble lettuce, which is where it gets its name from. Water lettuce is great for controlling algae growth and provides a hiding spot for fish.
2. Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)
Amazon frogbit is another popular floating plant that is native to South America. It has small, round leaves that are light green in color and can grow up to 5cm in diameter. Amazon frogbit is great for providing shade and reducing light in the aquarium, which helps to control algae growth.
3. Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans)
Red root floater is a beautiful floating plant that has small, round leaves that are red in color. It is great for providing cover and hiding spots for fish, and also helps to reduce light in the aquarium. Red root floater is easy to care for and can grow up to 3cm in diameter.
4. Salvinia (Salvinia natans)
Salvinia is a popular floating plant that is easy to care for and can grow up to 3cm in diameter. It has small, oval-shaped leaves that are light green in color. Salvinia is great for providing cover and hiding spots for fish, and also helps to reduce light in the aquarium.
5. Dwarf Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Dwarf water lettuce is a smaller version of the water lettuce plant and can grow up to 10cm in diameter. It has light green leaves that resemble lettuce, which is where it gets its name from. Dwarf water lettuce is great for controlling algae growth and provides a hiding spot for fish.
Caring for Floating Plants
Caring for floating plants is relatively easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure the plants have enough light to thrive
- Keep the water temperature between 22-28°C
- Ensure the plants have enough nutrients by fertilizing the water regularly
- Remove any dead leaves or plants to prevent them from decaying and polluting the water
- Trim the plants regularly to prevent them from taking over the surface of the aquarium
Conclusion
Adding floating plants to your tropical aquarium can enhance its beauty and provide numerous benefits to the aquatic environment. Water lettuce, Amazon frogbit, red root floater, salvinia, and dwarf water lettuce are some of the best floating plants for a tropical aquarium. With proper care, these plants will thrive and add a natural look to your aquarium.
