Got Watercress?

[Deadliestviper7]

Lol I'm sorry man my fingers move faster than my brain. I never saw a reduction in nitrates and trust me I know you WOULD NOT LIKE THE MESS LOL

I there's a balance between plants and bioload that's more complicated than I understand. I had a ton of water lettuce gorwing and never saw a reduction in nitrates. Meanwhile in a heavily planted 10 gal with a lone paradise fish I had hardly any nitrates.

I think for monters it's more trouble than it's worth

tarheel96 (sorry dude lol) did some pothos experiments and wasn't thrilled either

Better lighting allows plants to consume more fish related waste.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Lol I'm sorry man my fingers move faster than my brain. I never saw a reduction in nitrates and trust me I know you WOULD NOT LIKE THE MESS LOL

I there's a balance between plants and bioload that's more complicated than I understand. I had a ton of water lettuce gorwing and never saw a reduction in nitrates. Meanwhile in a heavily planted 10 gal with a lone paradise fish I had hardly any nitrates.

I think for monters it's more trouble than it's worth

tarheel96 (sorry dude lol) did some pothos experiments and wasn't thrilled either

Better lighting allows plants to consume more fish related waste.

 

[jaws7777]

Better lighting allows plants to consume more fish related waste.

I had a pretty good grow light. The plants were doing great they were multipling like crazy.

I'm not trying to talk DN out of it I just know he's a neat freak and his Aaron is a beast. I don't think he's going to see the nitrate reduction he's hoping for. That being said I hope he does try and and it works....I'll copy it lol

 

[jaws7777]

My understanding is floating plants are better at consuming waste vs submerged but still I didn't see a huge difference. Plus I didn't like the mess and algae growth in the sump

 

[Deadliestviper7]

My understanding is floating plants are better at consuming waste vs submerged but still I didn't see a huge difference. Plus I didn't like the mess and algae growth in the sump

Water purslane would also be cool

 

[kendragon]

I'm in agreement with Jaws. The mess and trouble is not worth it but I'm still curious to see if OP can make it work. Any display that requires to be clear and neat whether tank or koi pond, plant filtration in my experience is not the answer.
A lot of plants are required to make a difference which bring other issues like oxygen starvation. Clogging filter drains. Rotting plants......
When I see a pond full of nice green plants the water would test bad and just the opposite with good clean water. Very hard to have both good plants and good water at the same time.

 

[jaws7777]

Water purslane would also be cool

I love the look of floating plants and definitely going to use them again especially with smaller fish

 

[mrrobxc]

Lol I'm sorry man my fingers move faster than my brain. I never saw a reduction in nitrates and trust me I know you WOULD NOT LIKE THE MESS LOL

I there's a balance between plants and bioload that's more complicated than I understand. I had a ton of water lettuce gorwing and never saw a reduction in nitrates. Meanwhile in a heavily planted 10 gal with a lone paradise fish I had hardly any nitrates.

I think for monters it's more trouble than it's worth

tarheel96 (sorry dude lol) did some pothos experiments and wasn't thrilled either

The plants will certainly help. Plants use four main elements heavily to survive, grow, reproduce and that’s carbon and NPK. nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fast growing plants use a ton of it. Fast growing Fully submerged plants will take from the water column and their roots. Emersed plants or partially emersed plants will take a lot of it from the air.

You’re always better off with plants than not for water quality. Now enough to make a tangible difference? Well that’s debatable. Personally, I use floaters and pothos whenever I can.

 

[mrrobxc]

I'm in agreement with Jaws. The mess and trouble is not worth it but I'm still curious to see if OP can make it work. Any display that requires to be clear and neat whether tank or koi pond, plant filtration in my experience is not the answer.
A lot of plants are required to make a difference which bring other issues like oxygen starvation. Clogging filter drains. Rotting plants......
When I see a pond full of nice green plants the water would test bad and just the opposite with good clean water. Very hard to have both good plants and good water at the same time.

Good point kendragon . Rotting plants and clogged lines are a real issue that the keeper must maintain. Still my opinion that the pros outweigh the cons. Just keep up with maintenance.

 

[jaws7777]

I'm in agreement with Jaws. The mess and trouble is not worth it but I'm still curious to see if OP can make it work. Any display that requires to be clear and neat whether tank or koi pond, plant filtration in my experience is not the answer.
A lot of plants are required to make a difference which bring other issues like oxygen starvation. Clogging filter drains. Rotting plants......
When I see a pond full of nice green plants the water would test bad and just the opposite with good clean water. Very hard to have both good plants and good water at the same time.

I'm not plant guru but for me it's put the test kit to the test lol and the only time I could actually test and prove that the plants were doing as advertised was with a 10 gal that was ridiculously over planted floating and submerged with one small paradise fish. Other than that the test kit says other wise lol