Planted Refugium Nitrate Reduction

[Fish Eat Fish]

I want to make a 50 gallon refugium as an expiriment for my 55 tank. What plants absorb nitrates like crazy but dont need expensive lights? Im thinking I will use shop lights from Home Depot. Also If I fill the 50 full with plants and have good flow it should reduce my nitrates right?

 

[tunerX]

The best is Mandrake. If you have the capacity for plumbing you can put the refugium in a window and let it overflow back to the main tank.

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

I cant do that but I I plan to use shop light which should work for many plants right? will it work for mandrake?

 

[Oni Angel-Hannya]

Water sprite!!

 

[tunerX]

The problem with fluorescent is that they need to be about 8-10 inches from non-aquatic foliage or you need some super high output like T5/VHO. It will grow with flourescent, just not at an awesome rate.

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

any others?

 

[edtriou]

Hornwort.

A great nitrate absorber, grows incredibly well with low/med light, and doesn't need CO2. With my fish nitrate load, I even have to prune it every other week, so it remains just a background plant, grin.

Ed

 

[Tongue33]

Mangrove?

 

[ccdoido38]

just want to know but what if a herbivorous fish eats the plant, then would the fish be eating nitrates?

i know, don't say "why would you want plants with an herbivore"
just wondering

 

[tunerX]

just want to know but what if a herbivorous fish eats the plant, then would the fish be eating nitrates?

i know, don't say "why would you want plants with an herbivore"
just wondering

It would be like saying if you eat corn grown in manure are you eating manure. Yes you are, but just the molecules and not the substance.