I definitely agree with you about them potentially eating or digging them up. I have a red devil in one of my other tanks so I know all about this behavior lol my main tank they seem to leave the fake plants alone, so I think I might be okay with actual ones. I feed them once a day.
Nitrite Issue
- Thread starter Teddy99
- Start date
Because I keep (and have mainly kept) cichlids, this is why I dedicate planted sumps, so they don't turn into salad bars
One of my favorite nitrate users is Papyrus (umbrella palm) but the root ball gets so big, so fast, it can use up almost the entire spaceal area of a 6 ft tank.
I switched from Papyrus to mangrove trees a few years ago, because although their roots will eventually out grow my 125 gl sump, they grow quite slowly
I planted the above mangrove pod in a sand filled bamboo stem in Sept of 2021
The mangrove roots split the bamboo tube by Aug of 2023 (above)
Today some saplings are about 3 feet above the surface.
I also like quick growing Vallisneria as a true aquatic plant for using lots of nitrate n the sump
and Salvinia and water lettuce are known to be a big nutrient consumers, when used as floaters.
And of course terrestrials like Dieffenbachia, Monstera, and Pothos
One of my favorite nitrate users is Papyrus (umbrella palm) but the root ball gets so big, so fast, it can use up almost the entire spaceal area of a 6 ft tank.
I switched from Papyrus to mangrove trees a few years ago, because although their roots will eventually out grow my 125 gl sump, they grow quite slowly
I planted the above mangrove pod in a sand filled bamboo stem in Sept of 2021
The mangrove roots split the bamboo tube by Aug of 2023 (above)
Today some saplings are about 3 feet above the surface.
I also like quick growing Vallisneria as a true aquatic plant for using lots of nitrate n the sump
and Salvinia and water lettuce are known to be a big nutrient consumers, when used as floaters.
And of course terrestrials like Dieffenbachia, Monstera, and Pothos
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I have gravel substrate, in which I use the gravel vac every water change. As for chemical media, I only use it in one basket of the filter, I use zeo-carb from fluval. About 3 of the pouches.
I tested after wc with the most recent results I replied with. But usually before and after honestly. And when I test after I wait at least 12 hours.
ohhh you mean test the water from the tap? Yes I have, it is perfect. 0 nitrite.
I always waited after because I was under the impression the water took a little to mix and “settle”with the old water before getting a totally accurate reading.
