Can I leave swords floating?

[Lady Hobbs]

Have no tank for them right now so they are simply floating? I actually got them for my parrot tank but they were prompty ripped up.

I would hold them down with weights but can't seem to come up with something to use for a weight.

[gm72]

They are heavy root feeders so I am thinking not? I am not however 100% sure.

[smaug]

For a week or 2 maybe.If you have lots of nutrients in the water maybe longer.

[Wild Turkey]

I agree its probably not a good thing to do long term but I havent tried it.

[gm72]

As Smaug suggests I think the water would have to be super nutrient rich to make it last.

[Lady Hobbs]

Prolly not. Not to mention they are also ugly floating.

[gm72]

Ahhhh well then question answered! :ssmile:

[Rue]

I've had them floating for a long time (not on purpose). I had no issues (and I don't fertilize)...but they don't look right.

But if you're just leaving them there for another tank, or to give away, they should be fine...

[Michael Milligan]

If floating were harmful, I imagine they would have evolved to sink. Just an observation.

Plants ALWAYS draw nutrients from a water/devolved material solution. On land, the layer of water is very thin, but it is there. In an aquarium it is everywhere.

[korith]

I've left one floating in a 55g and after a few weeks it just didn't look right. Almost seemed to dying a slow death.

[Rue]

Guess it would depend on the water chemistry of the tank, the lighting, and the species of sword too...

A lot of variables!