Plant only filtration (why not popular in the hobby???)

[gtpsuper24]

On the back of my 20 gal tank,
My spider plants continue to grow well, philodendrons are finally getting roots after 1 month. Pothos still not really getting roots yet after 3 weeks.
Creeping charlie still doing well.

In my tank
6 goldfish, 6 flathead minnows and 2 kirby cichlids doing well. My hornworts and other water plant are looking paler.

Is it possible nutrient levels have dropped to the point that my aquatic plants are suffering?

All I have in the tank is a blubber and heater. Water change every 3 months or so.

I had similar problem, every other plant was growing fine except the pothos. I started misting them with a spray bottle of tap water and they started to take off. Had some clipping in the tank for 8 months that never really did anything but wasn't dying but wasn't growing either, after misting them twice a day they had long white roots growing and multple new leaves within a week or two.

 

[aquaponicpaw]

I had similar problem, every other plant was growing fine except the pothos. I started misting them with a spray bottle of tap water and they started to take off. Had some clipping in the tank for 8 months that never really did anything but wasn't dying but wasn't growing either, after misting them twice a day they had long white roots growing and multple new leaves within a week or two.

My experience with Pothos is weird. In the tank that has the most fish. I just have them floating. and although they have sprouted roots and new growth. they are not healthy, and will obviously die. In my tank with less bioload I have them planted in the substrate, And they are flourishing.

 

[ITHURTZ]

Ithurtz-
Ok i understand now how the trough works and you will have your plants on the trough and the trough will sit at a slightly higher elevation that the top of the large tank so that the water gravity flow into it.

question- why do you need this little tank? is it going to be continuous flow or intermittent? Are you pumping from the big tank to the little tank then again from the little tanks to the trough?

Newbie ask alot of questions lol

Continuous flow. The tank will be part of my mech filter. Ill have eventually filter socks in there, but I think for the time being floss padding will be good. Id like to throw my heaters in there too but dunno how productive that would be. Main tank gets pumped into the little tank, everything else follows gravity.

 

[metlbrain]

I guess looking into a freshwater refugium is starting to look pretty good.!

 

[Draco Hugo]

just want to share my latest experiment: arrowhead plants that work better than photos!

 

[HokieFish]

For you Guy's looking for a cheap, easy way to Hang plants on the back of your tank.... Shower caddies!!!!

I had this same Idea... I've been watching this thread while my 150 gallon has been down for repairs. I decided to go with a planted set up, and got started today. I'm definatly going to have to find that shower caddy and pick up some Pothos.
I'm not committed to a plant only filtration system, but I do know that they are a great addition to any filtration system already in place.

 

[vexproductions]

I like my add on to my Sump and all but I am going the trough way !!!!
Acrylic...
View attachment 743059
It's gonna 5' long 5" wide 7" tall ..and its gonna sit on top of the tank .

sent with love from the bottom of my tank !!!

 

[ITHURTZ]

just want to share my latest experiment: arrowhead plants that work better than photos!

Mines been shooting out vines now. I got a 5' vine behind me, then a 3' one thats trying to go up the wall because its in the corner.




Vex, excellent 7" is a good depth. Watch ur outlet hole location, to high and the other end might trickle over.

 

[Draco Hugo]

this may not sit well to those expert here but i was able to attain the 10PPM nitrate without water change for 8 weeks. yes...my fish at 220 gal are: 2 x 28 inches pangs; 1 x 24 inches silver aro; 1 x 24" CKF; 1 x 12 " oscar; and 1 x 8" pacu!

 

[ITHURTZ]

lets get a full view of the tank and all your plants. I can maintain a biweekly water change right now, 10ppm per week. This tells me I need double, and thats alot of plant!