Plants used for nitrate removal with a caveat...

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Andrew327

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 27, 2011
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I've read several threads on people using Pothos either in their sump or a HOB filter to help aid nitrate reduction with great success. I'd love to do this but there is one caveat... I have cats. The only reason this is an issue is cats are allergic to Pothos, as well as many other common household plants.
Is there another plant that would have the same nitrate reducing effect that is safe for cats??
Here is the list: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/23213/plants-safe-for-cats

Any help or recommendations would be outstanding!! Thanks!





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I had my golden pothos in my sump with a light and it's closed off with the cabinet doors. So my cat could not get to them.

I recently moved them to the top of the tank. Having a 220G tank on a stand makes it to high for her to get up there.
I have never seen her on top of my tank.

I didn't realize how TOXIC Pothos are to cats if they eat it. Thanks for posting this. :)

Mouth and throat irritation, salivating, possibly stomach irritation, diarrhea (rarely) or even death.
 
Yeah! its scary how toxic some of the common plants in the house are to cats. My set-up is much easier for my cats to get to so that's why I'm looking for something non-toxic.

No clue what would be as effective as Pothos though! I don't know much about plants.
 
I just let green algae grow on the back of my tank and on my drift wood. It eats up all my nitrates. I have never once read anything but 0/0/0 after a tank is cycled and has good algae growth.
 
Pothos is usually chosen because it is cheap, abundant, grows well with its roots submersed in water, grows rapidly and very low maintenance but any plant that will grow with its roots submersed in water will work.

I have used mint along side pothos with good results. The mint takes off fast but requires more maintenance than pothos. You could even try catnip!

Lucky bamboo will grow with its roots in water but it is a very slow grower compared to Pothos.
 
I have this exact same issue. I knew some house plants were toxic to cats but when I really started researching it, I realized nearly every "house" plant people use in their tanks for nitrate reduction is toxic to animals. I have my pothos on my 225 in a sealed canopy but can't use it on any other tank in the house because of the cats. Just not worth the risk.


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Print out a list of toxic plants then go to a green house not homedepot or lowes a real green house. Tell them you need a low light plant that grows fast that's not on this list. And I bet they can come up with one for you. I've kept all kinda of toxic plants around my dogs and cats for years never had a problem.

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