Floating plant death wish

[sophlearnspatience]

Brand new to this hobby, havent had a tank since my teens so all but basic knowledge is lost. I have a 25litre cube, brand new, plants went in 3 days ago, 30x30x30cm, low tech, HOB fluval ac20, basic heater, set at 24°c but sits between 19-20 as my bedroom is an ice cave, basic LED light with blue which im yet to tell whether its enough for the plants to flourish but will be adding a houseplant light around the space that do have full spec so it might be fine (for my houseplants but some light will naturally fall on the tank on a similar timer). If in doubt, happy to take suggestions on new ones. We've had a big ol cloudy spell and the tank is starting to clear again but I expect more as it cycles.

MY QUESTION -
I have added some red root floaters, they keep tumbling and getting pushed under by the HOB regardless of how I adjust the filter flow, so I have temporarily added a little filter wool so stop the surface agitation until I can figure out a solution... now I've ordered a portal to keep the floaters either in one space or to build a sort of defence line around the filter so the plants dont breach it and tumble.... is this going to be enough? My tank is in the super early stages of cycling and there is a very obvious film on the surface since I have stopped that surface agitation (im hoping friendly bacteria) but will there need to be a lack of surface agitation in order to keep these floaters up? Is there anything else I can do thats a little more subtle than rings of plastic/foam hanging about in the tank?
Many thanks guys

 

[keef321]

In the past I have used some air pump / airline tubing, and made it into a ring, then used a clip to hold it in position at the side of the tank. It's not particularly subtle, but does the job until you find a more eye pleasing solution. If I dont have some sort of surface agitation, skimmer on my tank I get a film also (mine is co2 injected though).

You are doing the correct thing trying to stop the floaters from tumbling 👍

Tank looks nice 🙂

 

[richardcunliffe]

Personally, I refer to them as red root no-ters

 

[mlgt]

I think what you are doing is the right method and whats available to rectify this. I guess you have tried to turn the flow down a notch but the in line tubing might be the easiest route for now. you can make a small ring just around the filter so that the floaters dont get sucked down and once everything settles and the plants grow stronger should have a mass of floaters into one main corner due to the flow.

Will you plan to upgrade the filter or keep the HOB filter for the future? As a small external or internal filter could rectify this straight away 🙂

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
Welcome to UKAPS. Have a read through <"A little guide for those with little experience">

I have added some red root floaters, they keep tumbling and getting pushed under by the HOB regardless of how I adjust the filter flow

Red-root Floater isn't a plant that <"enjoys life with me either">. There are other floating plants that are more buoyant, like <"Nile Cabbage" (Pistia stratiotes) or "Floating Fern" (Salvinia auriculata group)">. I'm a <"floating plant fan">.

My personal favourite floating plant is Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium (Hydrocharis) laevigatum), mainly because it has a <"leaf green"> leaf and you can use it in the "Duckweed Index" <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">.

We've had a big ol cloudy spell and the tank is starting to clear again but I expect more as it cycles.

If you are? you don't need to add ammonia (NH3) to cycle your tank. Just change some water to get rid of any high level of residual ammonia and don't add any more. Scientists have found that the ammonia based theory of cycling isn't right, mainly because the bacteria that people thought necessary for "cycling" don't occur in Aquarium Filters.

Basically there are a <"huge number of different microbes that perform nitrification">, and these occur over the whole range of pH and ammonia values that you might find in freshwater. Scientists are finding novel organisms all the time.

A grown in tank will have a diverse assemblage of nitrifying organisms that offer a flexible and resilient response to changing ammonia levels. Have a look at: <"Using Amano Shrimps to get rid of Bio Slug Wood Snot">


cheers Darrel

 

[Andy Pierce]

The tank is in the super early stages of cycling and there is a very obvious film on the surface since I have stopped that surface agitation (im hoping friendly bacteria)

You don't want that film on the water surface because it will screw up your oxygen exchange into the water column. You can get rid of it with a skimmer or an airstone.

 

[simon_the_plant_nerd]

This will work until you come up with a more permanent solution. My floating plants do best where there is zero surface agitation. But if you grow enough of them, losing some to the filter outflow won’t bother you.

 

[G H Nelson]

Hi @sophlearnspatience
MD below fashions a piece of clear plastic bottle to direct the flow from the hob filter, you could try bespoke a flow director.
You can see how it works @ 12.20 approx.

 

[sophlearnspatience]

In the past I have used some air pump / airline tubing, and made it into a ring, then used a clip to hold it in position at the side of the tank. It's not particularly subtle, but does the job until you find a more eye pleasing solution. If I dont have some sort of surface agitation, skimmer on my tank I get a film also (mine is co2 injected though).

You are doing the correct thing trying to stop the floaters from tumbling 👍

Tank looks nice 🙂

Thank you! I think the little tube blockade

I think what you are doing is the right method and whats available to rectify this. I guess you have tried to turn the flow down a notch but the in line tubing might be the easiest route for now. you can make a small ring just around the filter so that the floaters dont get sucked down and once everything settles and the plants grow stronger should have a mass of floaters into one main corner due to the flow.

Will you plan to upgrade the filter or keep the HOB filter for the future? As a small external or internal filter could rectify this straight away 🙂

Thanks for this! I dont have any plans to get a new filter in the near future unless this one doesnt work out. Its a good lil filter, and I really enjoy the surface agitation it gave.... until I plonked the young floaters in 🥲 the wool is doing the job of keeping the agitation below the surface until I get a little barrier made. Someone else posted a vid of MD making a ramp to stop the filter pushing water down too, always handy to keep in my back pocket incase the blockade fails (feels like im describing a battle)

 

[sophlearnspatience]

Sorry guys im getting use to this webpage...

 

[sophlearnspatience]

Hi all,
Welcome to UKAPS. Have a read through <"A little guide for those with little experience">

Red-root Floater isn't a plant that <"enjoys life with me either">. There are other floating plants that are more buoyant, like <"Nile Cabbage" (Pistia stratiotes) or "Floating Fern" (Salvinia auriculata group)">. I'm a <"floating plant fan">.

My personal favourite floating plant is Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium (Hydrocharis) laevigatum), mainly because it has a <"leaf green"> leaf and you can use it in the "Duckweed Index" <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">.

If you are? you don't need to add ammonia (NH3) to cycle your tank. Just change some water to get rid of any high level of residual ammonia and don't add any more. Scientists have found that the ammonia based theory of cycling isn't right, mainly because the bacteria that people thought necessary for "cycling" don't occur in Aquarium Filters.

Basically there are a <"huge number of different microbes that perform nitrification">, and these occur over the whole range of pH and ammonia values that you might find in freshwater. Scientists are finding novel organisms all the time.

A grown in tank will have a diverse assemblage of nitrifying organisms that offer a flexible and resilient response to changing ammonia levels. Have a look at: <"Using Amano Shrimps to get rid of Bio Slug Wood Snot">


cheers Darrel

Thanks so much for this, I'm not actively adding ammonia - it's climbed a tiny bit with a few naturally shedding decaying leaves (i assume) but its not high, ive also read that its not necessary but so many hobbyists swear by it I've fallen into looking out for it. Although its very early days for that anyway - im not use to waiting for results - i started this project as a test of patience for myself and slight homage to my grandad who was an avid freshwater scaper and conservationist.

If the red roots dont work out I'll certainly change them out for one of your suggestions!

Thanks for the links - I'll navigate through them

 

[Little]

Just wanted to say I love that name, story and its mindset of cultivating patience.
I took up Bonsai some 25 years ago when one was gifted to me by someone wise after making some very poor decisions in my youth (always after immediate gratification).
It took years before I “got it”. Connecting actions to long term positive effects and the impact of rushing.
Since then most of my recreational activities shifted to longer term projects and the patience they teach really helped me in other aspects of life. All the best with your return to the hobby.

 

[Jwilliams0487]

You have a beautiful aquarium. I've previously experienced similar issues. My method using a PVC pipe is a bit over the top but works lol.

It allows me to maintain a good flow and have a section of low flow

We'll have an extra job when water changing. As the water level lowers (depending on how you're holding your floating plants) you may need to round them back up but that can be therapeutic

 

[Jwilliams0487]

Check out Etsy!

 

[sophlearnspatience]

View attachment 226272
This will work until you come up with a more permanent solution. My floating plants do best where there is zero surface agitation. But if you grow enough of them, losing some to the filter outflow won’t bother you.

Thanks for this, putting them in floater jail seemed to be the only option in the end! Theyve not even close to recovered from the tumbling, and have become some mass of not quite floating plants, a little too submerged for my understanding of how floaters should be, so im not sure they'll all make it. But since the surface agitation has resumed that top film is less grim.

 

[Glass Box Diaries]

If you get a square floating 3D print you can use it to block the red root floaters getting under the spillway.

Some of the 3D print vendors sell these little connectors too so you can secure the floating square under the filter.