I want to grow a plant in an HOB filter just for fun. Plus it would help with my water quality. Any general tips? Any good indoor plant ideas? I'm a little worried about doing this, for fear of pesticides on the plants which are common around here.
Tips on growing plants in a HOB filter?
- Thread starter Carefree_Dude
- Start date
so orchids will grow inside just fine? sounds like it could be fun. will it be safe buying some already growing ones, or should I try and get some seeds?
I don't know about orchids, but I'm growing pothos and spider plants (the ones that always make miniature spider plants on long stems) and they are all doing great. Nitrate reduction doesn't start right away, though! It wasn't until my plants went root-crazy that I saw my nitrates disappear. It was over a month of waiting and I had given up. Then I opened my HOB and it was full of new white roots. This week, after 9 days of no water changes, my nitrates were only at 10 and they are usually 40 plus. Still doing water changes for stability, but fish look even sparklier than usual. Worth it.
They say pothos sap can be dangerous, so I let the cuttings dry before putting them in. And with the spider plants, you have to keep the heart above water.
They say pothos sap can be dangerous, so I let the cuttings dry before putting them in. And with the spider plants, you have to keep the heart above water.
Well, I figure my HOB is missing its top, so might as well have fun.
Oh, is mechanical filtration difficult to do like this?
Oh, is mechanical filtration difficult to do like this?
Why would mech filtration be difficult?
My orchids are doing great.
Don't start with seeds. That won't work probably.
My orchids are doing great.
Don't start with seeds. That won't work probably.
That depends on which part of your HOB is doing mech. But normally the plants shouldn't make a big difference. Their roots will take up residence in your sponges, but that's all bio and the whole root/sponge assembly can be pulled out and rinsed and put back in place as assembled. Do you do your mechanical filtration on the way into or on the way out of the HOB?