Amazon Frogbit (limnobium laevigatum)

[Vin]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading some conflicting information on Amazon Frogbit (limnobium laevigatum). Some people say it likes shade? others that it likes medium to high lighting?

I added a bunch in my 33g tank last week-end. It does not seem to be doing so well. There is about an inch of air between the cover and the water surface. My lighting is directly on my cover. The current pushes all the frogbit in the same corner more or less. The problem i can see, with the way my lighting is set up, is that there is practicaly no direct light on the surface of the water in those corners. And if they are directly under the light.... they would probably burn no ?

Could it survive in a shaded corner ? living off indirect light and the nutrients in the water? ( I dose daily following the PPS Pro method for newbies )

Thanks!

[beginragnarok]

Frogbit, and all other floating species I have kept greatly prefer not to have a current at the surface. The outflow from your filter is likely the cause of your ailing Frogbit.

Water surface agitation is good for gaseous exchage but not as much for your floating plants. Try using a pair of suction cups and some fishing line to make a corral for the floaters.This will help them not be blown all over the place.

All my floating species are under high (T5HO) light so I cannot say whether the lighting is a part of the problem. I doubt it as Frogbit is something of a weed. Perhaps raise your light an inch from the lid to give more light to the corners.

-Zach

[Vin]

Once they are in the area where they get "stuck" they dont really move with the current. Though there still might be a slight current under the surface.

Guess i'll give them a few more days in case its just an adjustement thing.

[beginragnarok]

Be patient. The water parameters GH/KH/PH/TDS/fert levels and lighting change may be forcing the plants to adjust. In this case all old growth may have to die off. If leaves turn yellow gently remove them. This will help the plant as a whole recuperate faster.

-Zach