Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I got them from the person who gave me the fish (which I adopted).

What are these water plants? And what do they do? Produce oxygen? How about help with bio filter?

Thanks.

It looks like Elodea canadensis, which is classed as a noxious weed in Australia, and many other places I suspect. It seriously blocks waterways but is a great aquarium plant.

Ok many thanks! You scared me a little when I read "noxious" and then I see that it is OK. Hahaha. Well it should be since it has been in the tank for ages with these fish!

Looks like anacharis. It's a really easy to grow, cleans and oxygenates the water well too. It's non toxic, my turtle loves the stuff.

Is this what it looks like close up?

Haha so hard to tell. Yes pretty much.

I saw my goldfish try to nip it once. Not sure if that was just a coincidence.

How do I make them grow more?

And do I need to submerge them or something? They are just floating around on top.

Lol sry, here's a better pic kinda.

These plants need to be in water. You can just float them in your tank and they will grow if you have light.

I think this is considered a invasive weed in some areas since it grows so fast.

Edit: forgot to add, you can also break them apart, maybe into about 6" long pieces and both will continues to grow.

wow ok thanks guys!

(closer up photos here)

don't let them loose in local waterways

Ah, no. These are in my self contained AP system. :-)

Ok, but make sure when you are disposing of water from your AP system, you need to make sure it does not have a chance to make it to the sewage. I would think to dump water from your AP into your yard. Someplace were the plant cannot grow or drain into a body of water. (Sewage water would probably give it a place to grow)

If it oxygenates the water is it recommended to have it? I feel like it may give some hide outs for fish too and possibly a spawning area for fish? I am new to all of this and i am trying to soak up every bit of information...