Growing and caring for hornwort in aquariums

[opaline]

I just got 10 bunches of hornwort and water lettuce coming in for my betta tanks. They're supposed to arrive this week, and I'm wondering what I need to do to get them thriving. Just drop them on the surface and add some liquid fertilizer, or is there more to it? I use root tabs for my planted tanks, but I don't have any liquid ferts on hand. I've gotta get these growing ASAP. Anyone got a favorite liquid fertilizer they swear by?

[sSjey]

I've had some experience with hornwort in the past. I used to twist the stems around some branched wood, and before long, they'd grow up to the surface and then spread out flat. You can definitely let them float, though - it's completely up to you.

For liquid fertilizer, I've had good luck with Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement. I've used it in my tanks for a while now, and it seems to do the trick.

Just a heads up, though - hornwort can be a bit of a handful if it's not happy. I found that out the hard way when I was keeping it in one of my tanks. If it doesn't like something, it'll drop its leaves like crazy. I actually ended up getting rid of it because it was growing so well that it started to choke out some of my other plants.

[opaline]

I've had some experience with hornwort in the past. I used to twist the stems around some branched wood, and before long, they'd grow up to the surface and then spread out flat. You can definitely let them float, though - it's completely up to you.

For liquid fertilizer, I've had good luck with Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement. I've used it in my tanks for a while now, and it seems to do the trick.

Just a heads up, though - hornwort can be a bit of a handful if it's not happy. I found that out the hard way when I was keeping it in one of my tanks. If it doesn't like something, it'll drop its leaves like crazy. I actually ended up getting rid of it because it was growing so well that it started to choke out some of my other plants.

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'll start with just one tank to see how it goes. This tank is pretty bare, I've only got 3 amazon swords, a windelov java, and 2 Kleiner bars - it could definitely use some more greenery. Have you had any experience with water lettuce, sSjey? Do you think it's safe to pair it with hornwort or will they end up competing with each other?

[opaline]

Just added Seachem Flourish to my cart, thanks for the rec.

[sSjey]

I've had no experience with water lettuce, but frogbit is doing well in my tank. When I had hornwort, I didn't have any other floating plants, as the hornwort itself floated on the surface. The anubias and java fern were the ones that got wrapped up in the hornwort.

I did have to regularly remove the hornwort, trim off the less-than-perfect bits, and then put the healthy bits back in the tank.