{"product_id":"red-root-floater-phyllanthus-fluitans-portion-cup","title":"Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Root Floater\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePhyllanthus fluitans\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most rewarding floating plants you can add to a freshwater aquarium. Under bright light the rounded, lily-pad leaves blush a deep red and trail a curtain of crimson roots, carpeting the surface to shade the tank and shelter shy fish and fry. It is a beginner-friendly plant that asks for no substrate and no CO2, an easy way to add color, cover, and natural filtration up top. Explore more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e at Squeaky's Aquatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach portion cup holds a healthy starter portion of Red Root Floater, ready to rinse and float on the surface of your tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grows happily under low light, where it stays green and compact. Moderate to high light is what triggers the signature red roots and leaf undersides. Aim for a 6 to 10 hour photoperiod.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2 and fertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e No CO2 injection needed. As a floating plant it draws CO2 straight from the air above the water. A liquid water-column fertilizer, especially one with iron, intensifies the red and keeps growth vigorous.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers a calm surface. Strong filter output or heavy surface agitation pushes the leaves underwater and can cause melting. Keep flow gentle, and a floating feeding ring helps keep the plants corralled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Simply float it. No planting, no substrate, and no anchoring required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e A fast grower. Scoop out and thin handfuls regularly so it does not blanket the entire surface and shade the plants below. Leave a small gap under the lid so trapped condensation does not constantly wet the leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:560px;margin:6px 0 4px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRed Root Floater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhyllanthus fluitans\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSouth America (Amazon basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLow to High (high light for red color)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003eCO2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFloating (water surface)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003epH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e2 to 15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#E8F5E9;font-weight:600;\"\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eAquascaping and Tank Mates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Root Floater is a favorite in betta, gourami, killifish, and shrimp tanks, where the dangling roots give fry and timid fish a place to hide and forage. It pairs naturally with other floating plants for a layered surface canopy, and the shade it casts is welcomed by low-light plants below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther floating plants: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/salvinia-minima-water-spangles-floating-plant\"\u003eSalvinia\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/water-lettuce-pistia-stratiotes-freshwater\"\u003eWater Lettuce\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/azolla-caroliniana-floating-aquarium-plant\"\u003eAzolla\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCleanup crew: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003eNeocaridina Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e graze the roots and love the cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings and Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eMore live aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/salvinia-minima-water-spangles-floating-plant\"\u003eSalvinia\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/water-lettuce-pistia-stratiotes-freshwater\"\u003eWater Lettuce\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/azolla-caroliniana-floating-aquarium-plant\"\u003eAzolla\u003c\/a\u003e for a fuller surface canopy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003eNeocaridina Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e for cleanup and grazing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/additives-supplements\"\u003eLiquid plant fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e to deepen red coloration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is my Red Root Floater green instead of red?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRed color is driven by light. Increase the intensity or length of your lighting and dose iron. Under low light the plant stays an attractive, healthy green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it take over my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt can grow quickly under good light. Scoop out and thin it every week or two and it stays easy to manage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need CO2 or special substrate?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It floats freely and pulls CO2 from the air, so there is nothing to plant and no CO2 system required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe for bettas?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Bettas love resting among the roots and leaves. Just keep the surface calm so the leaves stay dry on top.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48878299185371,"sku":"FLREDRP","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_bfe26580-7f86-47a2-a304-b54d5f065b98.png?v=1781532877","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-root-floater-phyllanthus-fluitans-portion-cup","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}