Acquisition of an aquarium is a wonderful way to update the situation in the house, to make it more lively, fresh and interesting. When designing a living corner, it is important not only to choose its inhabitants and create comfortable conditions for them - the flora is of great importance. In the article, we will talk about surface floating aquarium plants.
Introduction
After installing the aquarium, filling it and choosing the inhabitants, you need to think about which plants will decorate the underwater world. Flora performs both a decorative and a practical task. For some species of fish and shellfish, this is another source of food, fresh and natural.
Some species grow in the ground, others float on the surface of the water, captivating with beauty and expressiveness.
There are many types of floating plants that are great for decorating a home aquarium.
Floating species
There are many varieties of plants that feel great on the surface of the water, decorating both compact and spacious aquariums of various shapes. Next, we consider in more detail the most common varieties with names and descriptions.
Riccia
The first plant is called Riccia and belongs to the species of liver mosses. If you carefully examine this variety, it becomes noticeable that this is an accumulation of small curls that are tightly intertwined. The grass attracts attention with a rich light green color. Also, the plant is characterized by a flat shape, due to which it adheres remarkably to water.
The roots of this species are absent, which is quite characteristic of many waterfowl representatives of the flora.
With sufficient lighting, you will notice how the plant will actively develop, covering the surface of the water surface. Moreover, the process of dynamic growth in such conditions takes place all year round. Riccia will be useful if small fish live in the aquarium: algae will protect them. For larger inhabitants, grass will be another source of nutrition.
Pistia
Pistia plant is also called water cabbage. This type of floating flora is distinguished by large light green leaves, the sizes of which reach 16 centimeters. Foliage begins to grow from the center of the outlet. Brown roots are located behind. If you carefully examine the leaves under a magnifying glass, you can see a large number of small bubbles, thanks to which Pistia is kept on the surface.
Development is active, so the grass quickly covers the water.
Experts note the special property of Pistia: if algae get damaged, new leaves with roots appear in its place. After a full-fledged new plant is formed. This method is used by many aquarists to quickly breed grass. In the cold season, be sure to install an additional light source.
Duckweed
The following species, called Ryaska, is perceived by many as an ordinary weed, but this variety has excellent decorative qualities. The floating grass with small leaves looks neat and expressive. It is recommended to breed Ryaska separately (in an open aquarium) and then transfer to a new place.
Using this plant, you can create a “living” carpet on the surface of the water. In nature, Ryaska is often found in stakes, swamps and other local water bodies.
Eichornia is beautiful
Water hyacinth, it is beautiful Eichornia, has amazing visual qualities.
The plant attracts many aquarists with delicate lilac flowers.
Many argue that Hyacinth looks different from different angles. Neat leaves have a rounded shape. The plant has an attractive appearance only from above - under the leaves there are dense roots of brown color.
Elodea of Canada
Consider one of the representatives of the family of water-red. It's about Canadian Elodea.
Another name is "water plague." This is a poisonous plant that requires special maintenance conditions.
In spite of this, it is often used for decorative purposes. Do not worry about the health of the inhabitants of the aquarium - algae will not harm them. The variety is characterized by long branches covered with small and bright leaves.
Wolfia
Wolfia is great for decorating a green canvas on the surface. This is a small grass in the form of light green balls, the size of which does not exceed a few millimeters.
Also, in aquariums, neat islands are often made out of them.
The growth rate of algae depends on the water temperature and light intensity. The higher the indicators, the faster Wolfia develops. Make sure that the water temperature does not fall below 10 degrees Celsius, otherwise the plant will begin to die.
Salvinia floating
Floating Salvinia plant can be found in the following regions: Odessa, Kherson, Astrakhan. Neat oval-shaped leaves flaunt on the stems. The roots are thin and lush, stretching down. The active growth process is observed in the warm season. With the onset of autumn, development slows markedly. Often the grass dies in winter, but with the advent of spring, Salvinia independently recovers.
Spores and kidneys remain in the water, from which it is reborn.
To Salvinia again decorated the aquarium with the advent of the new season, you need to ensure the correct wintering: in the fall, water with spores must be poured into a separate container, preserved and stored until spring, maintaining a temperature of 8 degrees Celsius.
Egeria
In the family of water-red there is a plant called Egeria. A feature of this representative of the flora is that these algae can grow and develop both on the surface of the water and in the ground. The grass is completely unpretentious and does not need special conditions of maintenance, so it is often used for decorative purposes - a wonderful choice for beginners.
Features of maintenance and care
Most waterfowl plants reproduce independently: without special conditions, requirements and human participation. Due to the method of division, they grow rapidly even in a new place. Floating representatives of the flora are unpretentious to the composition of the soil and adjacent grass, however, certain parameters for their successful growth must be observed.
Many species do not tolerate hypothermia. If you want the plant to please you with lush and green foliage, install a source of artificial lighting. Bright light is vital.
Move the plant to the aquarium only when it is full. Carefully monitor the condition of the flora. Make sure the leaves and flowers are not seared by the lamp.
remember, that due to the rapid development of plants, thin them if necessary. A dense green carpet looks impressive, but it can harm some fish. Inhabitants who like to hide at the bottom will not receive enough light. Also, a large amount of grass disrupts the gas exchange process, which leads to soil decay.
Recommendation
On sale you can find fertilizers designed specifically for aquarium plants. Before using the tool, be sure to read the instructions and follow them in the process. Additional feeding will be especially useful with the onset of winter.
For every plant you need a certain light intensity. On sale you will find different models of bulbs that differ in brightness and temperature.
About floating aquarium plants, see below.
