I am setting up a new tank with a sump and this is my first experience with this equipment, after using cannisters and HOBs for years. I'm reading that some people put certain plants (both submerged and vining house plants) in their sump to help remove nitrates from the water. Can anyone weigh in on experience with this and possibly what plants you like to use or avoid? thanks.
Natrual nitrate "sponges" in sump
- Thread starter erik333
- Start date
Pothos. Just wash off the soil from the root system, place plant into some kind of basket, and set basket/root into sump. What's great about pottos is they don't require much lighting although stronger lighting will make for a stronger plant
Thanks, that is one I definitely will try. Do you have any opinions on putting floating plants in the sump like water lettuce or duckweed? bad idea if I want to keep it out of the main aquarium?
This is my 29gal. The basket is a shower caddy.
Does it work? Using API test kit, my nitrate was either 40ppm-80ppm, now with the pothos the nitrate is either 10ppm-20ppm. So, yes, it definitely works.
Does it work? Using API test kit, my nitrate was either 40ppm-80ppm, now with the pothos the nitrate is either 10ppm-20ppm. So, yes, it definitely works.
Ive done it a few different ways. 
In HOB filters.
In one of my 75's I drilled 1" holes in the back plastic strip of a glass versatop and hung plants in there.
This 90g tank packed full of Africans stays under 10ppm between weekly fin level water changes... because I was dropped on the head as a child I'm running a small tray in the sump lid, that drains back into the sump. It's fed by a 185gph 9w pump. Lights are 2x 6500k 10w CFLs. It's rampant.
View attachment 1059364
Help it's taking over!
It's not a magic cure-all but with other good cleaning, maintenance, and water changes it helps alot
Sent from my SCH-R950 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
In HOB filters.
In one of my 75's I drilled 1" holes in the back plastic strip of a glass versatop and hung plants in there.
This 90g tank packed full of Africans stays under 10ppm between weekly fin level water changes... because I was dropped on the head as a child I'm running a small tray in the sump lid, that drains back into the sump. It's fed by a 185gph 9w pump. Lights are 2x 6500k 10w CFLs. It's rampant.
View attachment 1059364
Help it's taking over!
It's not a magic cure-all but with other good cleaning, maintenance, and water changes it helps alot
Sent from my SCH-R950 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Not 100% sure, mosses are typically slow growing. Normally fast growing plants are best for nitrate reduction
Sent from my SCH-R950 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Sent from my SCH-R950 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
good stuff- thanks everyone for your input. If anyone can weigh in on floating plants like duckweed and water lettuce and their potential to get out of control, that would be great too.
