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Water Hyacinths in teh Aquarium?

21K views 15 replies 4 participants last post by  LyzzaRyzz 
#1 ·
I was looking up ways to corral surface plants, and came accross this website that mentioned how fast water hyacinths grow! Granted, they were talking about ponds, not aquariums, but im wondering if you could use them?

Or even, how they would do in a small pond?
 
#2 ·
They are fast growing/spreading, and large so a pond is best. In a several-hundred gallon tank maybe...:)

I had this plant in my outdoor pond until the racoon decided to eat it all, along with the goldfish and their young.
 
#3 ·
How fast does it grow?! Could I keep it in a 50gallon tub for the winter and then transfer it to my pond?
 
#4 ·
With good light, yes. This plant is best in sunlight or good overhead light. All floating plants are fairly fast growers.
 
#5 ·
I had some in my pond and had to throw out plants weekly to keep them from taking over the pond. It also has a beautiful purple flower. They did grow about 6 inches tall, so I can imagine you would need a lot of space in between the water and the hood if you want them in your aquarium. But water lettuce (another pond plant) has been developed in a dwarf variant. Maybe there is something like that for water hyacinth.

If you did want to grow it somewhere over the winter, I would use some a kiddy pool. More surface area will allow you to keep more plants alive through the winter. I really wish I had kept some of mine. Great nutrient sponge and cover plant.
 
#6 ·
Hmm, now that's an idea! "hey mom, can I keep a kiddie pool inside?"
We'll see how good that goes!
Would I need to add ferts to the water, or would adding w/c water be sufficient? Would they need an oxygen source? Like an air stone? I guess I could keep feeder fish in the pool...
 
#7 ·
A kiddie pool in the basement isn't impossible. I've thought about it a few times. Just gotta convince the parents. lol!

I certainly wouldn't add any goldfish. You would be doing a lot of water changes with them in there. Just dump the water you take from your tanks on a weekly basis. The water from that should be enough to feed the plants.
 
#8 ·
Not goldfish! Rosy red minnows. =]
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#9 ·
I actually had a few in my 29g, they just melted since I dont think my light was enough.


If you do get them, make sure you look them over, mine introduced leeches into my tank since the person I got them from kept them in a big tub outside.

Had to take down and redo my tank to make sure they were all gone ;-;
 
#11 ·
Rosy reds get big? I thought they were from 1.5-2.5 inches?
I have three of them in my 45 right now, they helped me cycle my tank.

I can agree with the fact that they produce more waste, they never stop pooing! Their like mini plecos!
But i actually really like the rosy reds...
They are a neat fish, and noone really gives em a chance, since they are 'feeder fish'. I love their rosy colors, and even the silver, or fathead, versions are adorable, though ive yet to get a silver one to survive. Ive had to go through 75 rosy reds to get the three healthy ones i have now.

One of them has a mask, though. I was wondering what he may be crossed with? Its actually his scales are black. I have a video ill load up that shows him/her.
 
#12 ·
#13 ·
Well they don't get huge like goldfish, but they will get a little larger than most people would assume. Rosy reds (which are light-colored fathead minnows) will grow between 3 in and 4 inches long in the aquarium. If you love these guys and want to put them in a pond, you could get a few to be put in a pond in the spring. They make a surprisingly good pond fish. I actually have the wild form in the streams and rivers where I live.
 
#14 ·
Wy the spring time? if i keep the kiddie pool indoors?
 
#16 ·
The pond we have has koi and goldfish in it.
The kiddie pond would have just rosy reds in it.
The plants would be in both...
 
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