What are the best plants for nitrate??
- Thread starter kelz
- Start date
Rays are a game changer for plants. Most all plants will consume ammonia prior to consuming nitrate. It is not a reduction of nitrates, it is more avoiding a nitrate buildup over time due to less ammonia converting through the nitrification cycle. A couple key notes:
1) It would take an unreasonable amount of plants to keep up with a ray bioload.
2) That bioload may actually kill off the plants from too much of a food source.
3) A bacterial colony will only grow to the size of the available food source first, and secondly the size of the available surface area. Plants will weaken a biological filter if enough plants are used to keep with the bioload.
4) Planats may keep up with small consistent bioloads but the large swings in perams from ray feedings etc.. make plants a risky approach unless just done for looks with plants like anubias etc..
A drip system with some plants for aesthetics would yield much better results that heavy planting.
1) It would take an unreasonable amount of plants to keep up with a ray bioload.
2) That bioload may actually kill off the plants from too much of a food source.
3) A bacterial colony will only grow to the size of the available food source first, and secondly the size of the available surface area. Plants will weaken a biological filter if enough plants are used to keep with the bioload.
4) Planats may keep up with small consistent bioloads but the large swings in perams from ray feedings etc.. make plants a risky approach unless just done for looks with plants like anubias etc..
A drip system with some plants for aesthetics would yield much better results that heavy planting.
Thanx love the info. I have a drip system on the tank it's a 600 gallon just trying to see if hanging any plants will help out a bit. Not trying to go all out on plants just 2 or 3.
Ah I see. You're welcome. Then yes for fun toss some pothos in and get a sharp pair of scissors. That thing will be huge in a couple short months. They won't do much of anything noticeable on a tank like that but I have the same and still have a few pothos as well. I enjoy the plants even if they don't do much.
Plants (e.g., pothos) would certainly be a nice addition if you are trying to maintain lower levels of nitrates. Naturally, you still have to do WC, maintain a good bacterial population, and so forth. They aren't replacements for addressing water quality, but they are a useful supplemental tool towards that goal.
Many people use plants in their tanks with great (even stunning) success.
Here's a thread that might answer lots of questions:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/cheap-plants-less-nitrate-pothos.504763/
Many people use plants in their tanks with great (even stunning) success.
Here's a thread that might answer lots of questions:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/cheap-plants-less-nitrate-pothos.504763/
Not a plant but a buddy of mine swears the freshwater clams do wonders I personally haven't used them
Algae, that grows in strands. With high powered led lights.
Some one said, that it will weaken your bio filter.
The algae is also a bio filter. It will not die out when feeding is overloaded.
It will slow down growth, but not starve. When food is scarce.
I have used papyrus in pots, where there is enough overhead space, and the plants can get enough light.
And because they are true semi aquatic plants, they do well with stems submerged half length, which can be 4 or 5ft tall.
And because they are true semi aquatic plants, they do well with stems submerged half length, which can be 4 or 5ft tall.
