building functional and versatile plant dams

[bettaMagenta]

I've been struggling to keep floating plants happy in my tanks, mostly due to high flow filters. I've tried a few damming methods, but none have really worked out for me. Currently, I'm using a small stainless rod between suction cups, which is adjustable and seems like it could work if my plants had longer roots. However, with younger plants and regular water changes, it's a challenge. I typically do 5-gallon water changes, vacuuming gravel and refilling with RO filtered water, which causes the water level to fluctuate and my floaters to get pushed under the surface or stuck on the filter intake.

I came across this system on Zorchzon.com, but I'm not sure how effective it is versus just being a gimmick. For now, I'm going to try using a type of closed cell foam "noodle" to create a tight friction fit. If it works, I might be able to keep my floaters in place without having to constantly re-position them. The grey color and smaller diameter of these "noodles" should blend in nicely.

What methods do you guys use to keep your floaters in place, especially with higher volume filters?

[coltin]

I've actually been playing around with something similar to what you're describing. I used a length of clear plastic hose - the airline type works great for this. I joined the ends together with a joiner, making a loop that my floating plants can sit in. Then I tied a piece of string to the airline and attached the other end to a suction cup on the side of the tank, about halfway down the glass. This way, when I do a water change and the water level fluctuates, the string allows the loop to move up and down with it, keeping my floaters afloat and out of the filter intake.

[bettaMagenta]

I attempted to create a square using 4 elbows, but it kept twisting up & didn't hold its shape - I was using silicone air line tubing, maybe a more rigid tubing would work better. I'd actually like the plants to cover the whole tank surface, except where the water falls & filter suctions are.

I'm trying to establish floating plants in 2 tanks - a 55 gallon with an Aquaclear 70 in each back corner, facing the front, so floaters could take over the whole tank except a foot at each end. Then there's a 45 gallon tall with a HOT magnum, but it'll be getting a Tidal 75 on one of the narrow ends, so that tank could have floating plants everywhere but about 6 inches in front of the filter. Both tanks have the same thickness, so the same "device" could be used for both tanks, in all 3 spots.

[coltin]

I've found that a clear plastic hose or airline in a circular loop tends to work pretty well for keeping floaters in place. You can also use other materials like straws or similar items, but the key is to create a barrier that holds the plants without restricting their growth. Some folks have even used mosquito netting or plastic flywire to create a sort of floating corral for their plants. Another approach I've seen is to make a large floating net that keeps everything contained.

[BadgersSong]

bettaMagenta, I've gotta say I appreciate your creativity in trying to tackle the floater issue. You're not afraid to experiment and ask for input, which is great.

I've never had much luck with plant dams in high flow tanks myself. In low flow tanks, I don't really need them, so I tend to avoid keeping floaters in my river tanks. The thing is, most fish that thrive in those environments need crystal clear water, so I end up doing big water changes regularly anyway - my rivertank gets a 75% change once a week. Floaters aren't a necessity for me.

That being said, I've found that java ferns, willow moss, and most crypts do amazingly well in high-flow tanks.

[bettaMagenta]

These seem to be working out so far, I'm using the closed cell foam "noodle" method and it's holding the floaters in place pretty well, even with the high flow filters and frequent water changes.

[bettaMagenta]

Still on the hunt for more red root floaters for this tank... I've got 2 dams in place, trying to keep the floaters contained to the middle section of the tank, away from the filter waterfalls and suction tubes.

[coltin]

Those foam things you mentioned, are they like the pool noodles kids use to whack each other with in the pool? Round tubes of foam, that kind of thing? I like the idea, it's a good one. The only thing that might be a bit tricky is when you do water changes and the water level drops - you'll probably have to separate the plants out again so they don't get all jumbled up.

[bettaMagenta]

These grey foam "noodles" I'm using are pretty similar to pool noodles, just smaller at 1.5 inches in diameter. I found them listed for crafting, but they're working out great for my floaters. I experimented with stacking two, but that made the noodle more noticeable - one works better, and being a friction fit, I can easily adjust it manually as the water level drops during water changes. The one in the first picture is duckweed, and I was able to keep it all contained with the dam.

[bettaMagenta]

I'm really liking how these plant dams are turning out. They seem to be doing the trick, keeping my floaters contained and away from the filter intakes.