Tiny discovery that is definately worth sharing.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Matt you should try to get a plant that dosn't require any CO2.. ray set-ups usually have a high amount of dissolved oxygen to support nitrifying bacteria. Which in turns, releases Co2 making it virtually impossible to grow fully submersed plants. I would try Anubias or Java Fern, possibly mounted high up on some driftwood in the main display..

The others are things like pothos and floating water lily..

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126846&highlight=rays+plants

I had good luck with these.. but I failed to recognize the fact that when plants go to 'rest' at night, they consume oxygen.. couldnt figure out why my fish were splashing at night.. ended up killing a Jardini... might have an airstone on a timer to add o2 at night..
 
FireMedic;2103154;2103154 said:
Hey Sisters and Brothers, all is well here in Northern WI...thanks for asking!

So the point of this is to share with you all that I beleive I have discovered something quite useful.
If you search my previous threads you will find photos of my Ray set-up. In there you may have seen the plant component to my set-up involving cuttings from common house plants floating on styrofoam.

Well against my best judgement and the data here in MFK I haven't performed a water change for 28 straight calendar days. I tested my water parameters with my API kit and very sheepishly awaited the results:

My jaw dropped!

Ammonia, 0 ppm
Nitrite, 0 ppm
Nitrate, approximately 2.5 ppm
21 days without a water change and zero chemical filtration. There is no embellishment here.

On a whim I harvested some house plant cuttings and set up an impromto hydroponic end stage to my sump just to see what would happen. Yes my rays were at risk if things went badly but apparently, either beginnners or dumb luck, my idea of controlling toxic substances through plant filtration worked like a charm!

I measured 11 3/8 inches of root growth the first 28 days without water change. Did a water change then tonight I have 21 5/8 inches of total root growth plus said parameters after testing.

The plants are growing like gangbusters and the rays are fat and sassy.

Sorry for the length of this thread, kinda excited, kinda lubed by fermentation (Hamm's)

Give hydroponics a try especially if water changes are becoming rather expensive. Heck, grow Bonzias or Strawberries.
Respectfully,
FireMedic.
Click to expand...
Hi i have a 600 gal heated pool with 3 rays,pond is being turned over 10 times per hour,i limke the iodea of growing the plants in the water,what are the best plants to grow for the most efficient toxin removal,can anyone help?
 
I believe "water lettuce" or lily was brought up before.

I have seen duckweed used but it needs especially slow currents at the surface and must be blocked from intakes and return areas.

Cattail and Phragmites, even tomato plants have been used.

I will keep looking for you.

Respectfully,
FireMedic.
 
FireMedic;3359006; said:
I believe "water lettuce" or lily was brought up before.

I have seen duckweed used but it needs especially slow currents at the surface and must be blocked from intakes and return areas.

Cattail and Phragmites, even tomato plants have been used.

I will keep looking for you.

Respectfully,
FireMedic.
Click to expand...

Thanks! :)
 
Hi. I just added a few pothos cuttings to my HOB. *edit- Just figured out that one was Scinapsus pictus and removed it*

So I have one pothos leaf in my Penguin 300. It's just hanging there, stem protruding into the filter basket. I'd put it in a sump but sumps scare me. Anyway, what are the long-term care concerns for this plant? Can I hack the roots if they get too long? How are yours doing?

I should mention that I'm not a ray keeper, but this thread seems to be a very complete pothos exploration, so I'm asking here. Thanks.
 
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