Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've been trying to figure out which plants actually boost oxygen levels in my tank. I've got a 20-gallon with moderate lighting and CO2 injection, but my fish still seem a bit sluggish. Any recommendations?

Hornwort and Anacharis are solid choices. They grow fast and release a lot of oxygen during the day. I've got both in my 30-gallon, and my fish are way more active now. Just watch out for the Hornwort shedding, it can get messy.

Yeah, fast-growing stem plants like Water Wisteria and Rotala also do wonders. They're easy to care for and don't need crazy light. My tank's at 78°F, and they're thriving. Just trim 'em regularly to keep 'em from taking over.

I've had success with Amazon Swords. They're not as fast-growing as Hornwort, but they're sturdy and oxygenate well. Just make sure you've got a good substrate, like Flourite, and decent lighting. Mine are in a 40-gallon with LED lights.

reefkeeper1 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:47 am Hornwort and Anacharis are solid choices. They grow fast and release a lot of oxygen during the day. I've got both in my 30-gallon, and my fish are way more active now. Just watch out for the Hornwort shedding, it can get messy.

I second Hornwort. It's a beast for oxygen, but yeah, the shedding is real. I've got it in my 55-gallon, and I'm constantly skimming bits out.

What about floating plants? I've heard Duckweed is good for oxygen, but it's kinda invasive. My tank's only 10 gallons, so I don't wanna deal with a takeover.

Duckweed's a nightmare. Try Frogbit instead. It's easier to control and still pumps out oxygen. I've got it in my 15-gallon, and it's been chill.

I've been using Vallisneria. It's not as fast as some others, but it's low-maintenance and oxygenates well. My tank's at 76°F, and it's been growing steadily.

If you're into red plants, Ludwigia Repens is a good pick. It's not the fastest grower, but it's pretty and helps with oxygen. I've got it in my 20-gallon with a Finnex light.

fusioncore wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:00 am What about floating plants? I've heard Duckweed is good for oxygen, but it's kinda invasive. My tank's only 10 gallons, so I don't wanna deal with a takeover.

I'd recommend Salvinia over Duckweed. It's less invasive and still does a great job with oxygen. I've got it in my 12-gallon, and it's been easy to manage.