What floating plant is best

[SandNukka15]

Looking to lower nitrates in my tank. I already have a good amount of pothos and java fern but dont want to add any other types of plants besides maybe a floating plant that does ok with some current from canisters. I'm afraid the angelfish or columbian tetras might eat the roots. Which would you recommend that might deter the fish from eating the roots. This is the stock of my 180.

16 columbian tetras
9 peppered cories
7 red head geophagus
4 bolivian rams
4 pictus catfish
3 angelfish
2 electric blue acaras
1 blue phantom pleco

 

[kno4te]

Could try salvinia. It’s has shorter roots and maybe ur fish will stay away. It’ll also absorb nitrates. Should handle some current too.

 

[SandNukka15]

Could try salvinia. It’s has shorter roots and maybe ur fish will stay away. It’ll also absorb nitrates. Should handle some current too.

I'm trying to supplement nls algae max to their diet to hopefully deter them from the roots but idk if that will help lol

Amazon frogbit?

My local fish store can get dwarf water lettuce?

 

[Gourami Swami]

For floating plants that do OK with some water movement, try water lettuce if it's available where you are. Fish may eat the roots. How about a grow box suspended above the tank? You basically stick a long plastic planter up there, pump water up into it and have an exit for the water to drain back into the tank. You can put filter media in it as well and it acts as another mechanical filter, plus keeps the plants out of the water so the fish can't eat them.
Something like this:

 

[SandNukka15]

For floating plants that do OK with some water movement, try water lettuce if it's available where you are. Fish may eat the roots. How about a grow box suspended above the tank? You basically stick a long plastic planter up there, pump water up into it and have an exit for the water to drain back into the tank. You can put filter media in it as well and it acts as another mechanical filter, plus keeps the plants out of the water so the fish can't eat them.
Something like this:

That should work!... thanks!

Yes my lfs can get dwarf water lettuce if that works?

 

[SandNukka15]

For floating plants that do OK with some water movement, try water lettuce if it's available where you are. Fish may eat the roots. How about a grow box suspended above the tank? You basically stick a long plastic planter up there, pump water up into it and have an exit for the water to drain back into the tank. You can put filter media in it as well and it acts as another mechanical filter, plus keeps the plants out of the water so the fish can't eat them.
Something like this:

Would there be any concern with the water weight in the planter on top of the trim of the tank?

 

[BIG-G]

Would there be any concern with the water weight in the planter on top of the trim of the tank?

I don’t think the weight would be an issue.
If you do try something like this, don’t just cut a slot for the return.
I can see the water eventually following the side of the planter and dripping behind the tank.
I would use a plumbing fitting and elbow it down towards the tank and connect a piece of pipe to have it return directly to the tank.
I have lots of Salvinia It’s not as bad to get everywhere like duckweed.
It’s also easier to remove if you decide to.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I agree you can easily make a better return than showed in the video with some PVC fittings. The weight shouldn't be an issue as it will only be a couple gallons of water depending on the size, but if you DIY a platform for the planter to sit on, that would be ideal. Could be as simple as a shelf screwed into the wall behind the tank.
Dwarf watter lettuce should be OK, about the same risk of fish eating the plant/roots.

 

[SandNukka15]

Yea I def disnt trust the way he did the return... I'd prob just use my ehiem 2217 return to pump into the box

 

[Raka]

I run a 40b with angels and plecos with a 306 canister. Tank has a thick layer of duckweed, angels never touch it.

The duckweek will eat all the nitrates in the tank. I have lots of plecos in my 55 it sits at about 5ppm now between water changes with 30% weekly.