floating/surface plants question

[jeremy1]

i have a low tech low light 10g tank with some plants. im wanting to do a heaily planted tank.i have my sights set in a 16g that marineland makes(10g footprint but 6 inches taller).my question is i have a floating plant i think it is savinia real small reproduces quickly that i like. i also like the look of a "mat"on top of the water. is it possible to have a densely planted tank with a mat of vegetation on top? i know it will block out some light so if i go with low light plants is this even realistic? thanks for all replies and ideas.

[Longstocking]

I do a couple different plants on the surface.

Duckweed... which I don't think you want.

Hornwort and Najas work well for me :)

If you stick with something that you can remove easily if it gets too dense it should work out fine.

[exasperatus2002]

Yes you can. Just choose lower light plants for below the floaters.

[toddnbecka]

I have had hornwort and Najas growing for several years under regular 4' shop lights w/1 plant bulb and 1 10K bulb, water surfaces covered by duckweed. I thin the stuff out, and in a week or 2 it's back again.