Nitrate absorbing floating plants

[jaws7777]

Can you guys give me some suggestions on the best floating plants to use in my sump. The sump is an open layout with no baffles. I figured i could throw some floating plants in and hook up a light anove the sump. I could also put some pothos in a hanging basket but figure the floating plants would be easier.

Only floating plant ive had experience with was Brazilian penny wort but am not sure how effective it will be for this purpose

Polyaddict86

 

[Wailua Boy]

I use Salvinia(if not restricted in your state) or Amazon frogbit. I've also had good results with watercress or pothos. The duckweeds and azollas are a bit too messy for me. Adding the plants as long as they are growing well, can really do good job at keeping nitrates low.

 

[Polyaddict86]

Are amazon frogbit illegal in cali?

 

[BIG-G]

Duckweed works, But damn it gets every where.
Its one of those plants with world domination in its plans!
It and kudzu plant will rule the world some day!

 

[Wailua Boy]

Are amazon frogbit illegal in cali?

Im not sure. I did hear it is naturalized and growing wild in Ca but not sure if its still being sold. I guess it is a very invasive plant, its up there with water hyacinth.

 

[GamerChick5567]

Could try hornwort if your lfs has any. Been growing like crazy in my tanks. Pulled a 5ft piece out of my 90 yesterday, stuff was wrapped around my poor bacopa haha. Mine had frogbit also, I should grab some.

Some people on craigslist were selling water lettuce and hyacinths, maybe those would work if you have grow lights above your sump. I think they need really strong lights. Any algae growth from strong lighting should help too. I think you just can't ship them to ca, not sure about buying in state haha. It's probably the plant popo on cl though hahahaha.

 

[Woefulrelic]

I wouldn't use small floating stuff. Water lettuce or dwarf water lettuce woukd be better but even they may gunk up pump over time. Terrestrial plants will be significantly better.

 

[Wailua Boy]

Another plant you really cant kill is umbrella sedge or
Cyperus alternifolius.

 

[Wailua Boy]

Anubias although they are slow growers once established can be good filter plants IME

 

[jaws7777]

Thx guys forgot to mention yhat they would have to be low light plants.

Whats a god cheap light i could use for the plant ? I have mounted satelite leds using velcro but maybe i could get away with something cheaper


anything of decent size wouldnt get caught in the pumps as the intakes will be connected to pond boxes covered in laundry bags full of bio