Nitrate reduction with live plants

[PostalPenguin]

Has anyone used live plants/algae in a separate tank from the main tank to reduce nitrates in a main tank?

My 55g will only be lightly planted if at all and was wondering if anyone had created a sort of sump where plants/algae could grow and suck the nitrates out of the water.

My idea is to pump water into a 10 or so gallon tank that has lights on 24/7 to grow as much algae as possible. I would probably put egg crate or some other material to create a good amount of surface area for algae to grow on. On the return line would be a UV sterilizer to minimize the algae problems in the main tank.

Ideally, I would then just monthly or so remove the egg crate plates and wash them of the algae which has locked in the nitrates. Then scrape the glass and reinsert the plates.

Would this work? I am not sure how efficient algae is in removing nitrates or whether it would lock up the nitrates in easily removable algae matter that I can use to ultimately remove the nitrates from the system. I would rather use algae which grows without trouble than plants which could require fiddling with.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[WyldFya]

Very possible, very good. However, you have to watch your trace elements. Don't think this gets you out of doing water changes completely. FYI the algae that will grow on the egg crate will not be killed by a UV.

 

[jcardona1]

sounds like your talking about an algae scrubber. there's a massive thread in the DIY section. do a search for it

 

[Sab_Fan]

agree with the above two posts, this is a very possible idea, fairly common in saltwater tanks . . . basically, a "refugium" . . .

 

[OmniTranz]

agree with the above two posts, this is a very possible idea, fairly common in saltwater tanks . . . basically, a "refugium" . . .

Agreed, I do it in several of my tanks, also have added mangrove plants which are hungry nitrate eaters!

 

[Freezekougra]

sounds like your talking about an algae scrubber. there's a massive thread in the DIY section. do a search for it

I think he's talking about this one: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180385&highlight=algae+diy

I was thinking of doing something similar, but with wisteria or giant duckweed instead. The window mesh in my sisters room is broken...maybe I should steal some and try an algae filter

You can also try house plants or other plants where only the roots are submersed in water. You could just place it in a HOB or even on top of the tank if you can find the right spot

 

[PostalPenguin]

Thanks for all the info! Seems like this idea may work. Ill be sure to post the results when I put it all together.

I am going to hopefully be growing some frogbit or red root floaters in the main tank so it may not need a separate scrubber set-up depending on the growth rate of that.