i was looking to put plants in my sump to help the nitrate levels and was wondering whats the best aquarium plant is best any help please thanks
best plants for sump
- Thread starter CHAMPLINE
- Start date
The faster a plant grows the more nutrients it is consuming to do so.
The fastest growing plants I know of are vals and anacharis. But even with the fastest growing plants around it will take a very very large amount of them to help with nitrate levels.
But try it and let everyone know your findings. I tried a few years ago with a 12"x18" space in my sump packed with anacharis and java moss. And I seen no results what so ever. I was using 6500k cfl bulbs and had 5 26wt bulbs running over the sump space. I had plenty of growth and had to trim every 2 weeks. But nitrates never budged.
good luck
The fastest growing plants I know of are vals and anacharis. But even with the fastest growing plants around it will take a very very large amount of them to help with nitrate levels.
But try it and let everyone know your findings. I tried a few years ago with a 12"x18" space in my sump packed with anacharis and java moss. And I seen no results what so ever. I was using 6500k cfl bulbs and had 5 26wt bulbs running over the sump space. I had plenty of growth and had to trim every 2 weeks. But nitrates never budged.
good luck
I've found my Java moss sucks up more nitrate when I give it less light. Just my experience... It won't eliminate waterchanges or anything like that, but it will contribute to a healthier system & reduce some pollutants. A properly built algae scrubber will be much more effective at sucking up nitrate, but its more trouble & expense.
Water sprite is a good one, fast growing, and it is a heavy water feeder. Algae scrubbers are prob your best alternative if your planted fuge dosent work out.
I would do this instead if your main goal is to remove Nitrates
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180385&highlight=algae+scrubber
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180385&highlight=algae+scrubber
my refuge is packed with several watter lettuce. they grow quickly and easily and I noticed a good decrease in my nitrates too. the only disadvantage is that they are mostly above the water so it is more difficult to get a bunch of them in the refuge. I also use these plants as the sole filtration in a 200 gallon above ground pond housing about 30 breeding tilapia as well as some mud minnows in my courtyard. 10 of these plants will suck up any filth like a hoover.