Floating plants for Florida “pond”

[ryansmith83]

I have set up a 150 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank on my back porch for some southern South American cichlids (Cichlasoma sp.), as well as some Florida native killifish and mosquitofish. I would like to add some floating plants to give the fish some cover and help absorb nitrates.

My stock tank sits on my back porch which is covered. The porch gets indirect sunlight all day but no direct sunlight. I am looking for suggestions on floating plants that can live in indirect sunlight. I don’t necessarily need them to flower, I just don’t want them to die. They’re more for functional use than aesthetic purposes.

Any recommendations would be great. I live in a hardiness zone 8 or 9, if that matters. It’s central Florida so we very rarely get temperatures below 30F and never for extended periods. It’s mostly just hot and humid for 8 months out of the year.

 

[kno4te]

Like frogbit and water lettuce.

 

[FLA]

Duckweed, Azolla, bladderwort, or depending on how "floating" it needs to be bacopa. I like Azolla especially when it turns purple.

Water lettuce is prohibited

This is a great resource. It will keep you legal. | Home | Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants | University of Florida, IFAS (ufl.edu)

 

[kno4te]

Duckweed, Azolla, bladderwort, or depending on how "floating" it needs to be bacopa. I like Azolla especially when it turns purple.

Water lettuce is prohibited

This is a great resource. It will keep you legal. | Home | Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants | University of Florida, IFAS (ufl.edu)

Thanks for the article. Thought it was a native. I know it grows here.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Parrot's feather is an interesting floater. Aside from that, whatever you can introduce that's not illegal will probably thrive.

 

[Jim bean 20055]

I think Hornwort could also be another option

 

[Fishman Dave]

Indian fern

 

[duanes]

I had a 300 gal Rubbermaid in WI and used water hyacinth, my biggest problem was pulling out the excess daily for the compost heap.
The hyacinth help keep temp fluctuations in check, and sucked up nitrate like a sponge.
I have also used water lettuce, and salvinia to the same effect.

 

[ryansmith83]

Water hyacinth and water lettuce are both considered invasive in Florida and are illegal to have, but honestly I don’t know how they can prevent you from just plucking it out of a lake. It does sound like it takes over really quickly though.

I’m more concerned with the fact that a lot of floating plants supposedly require 4 - 6 hours at least of full sunlight, but I’m going to try a few of these and just see how they do.

Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[dogofwar]

Cichlasoma - in Uruguay at least - are found in places where terrestrial plants are growing in the water. I sometimes hang long plastic plants from the top down and also put upside down pots to grow terrestrial plants in their tanks. Peace Lillies would work well. Same with lots of Philodendrons. Wandering Jew is another good one. All can do well with wet feet and medium light.

I'm afraid that parrots feather probably needs more light. Worth a try as it floats but also grows vertically out of the tank / pond. I just haven't had great luck with it without a good amount of light.