Cheap plants, less nitrate! POTHOS

slippery slimecoat

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 26, 2012
928
444
87
New York
Growth comes from waste and waste (nitrates) produce energy the plant needs to grow.

There is still a little uncertainty if pothos consumes ammonia before it can be converted to nitrites then nitrates thus less nitrates or if it just consumes nitrates after the Bio process! Either way the end result is a reduction in nitrates!

Some have reported great results in new tanks when using pothos to lower ammonia.

Just buy a 9$ API nitrate liquid test kit at your lfs. That way you can measure the amount of reduction which means you can fine tune your water change schedule/amount saving time and money!



Not too worried about ammonia. I've had the tank and filters running for many years. I do need to get a test kit for the reason you stated though. Until recently I lived in an apartment where my water was included (and the tank was overstocked), so I just did huge water changes. Now that I'm paying for my water I tend to be a bit more conservative lol.

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F1 VET

THE serrasalmus rhom
MFK Member
Nov 3, 2011
6,580
32
0
INDY
Yea free h20 is nice but it still has an impact on the environment, not to mention its cost money to heat the water your already paying for!

There's just so many benefits to this plant that sometimes I forget how great looking it is and my fish are low light anyways so they prefer top cover, plus the roots offer a safeguard for babies or fry.

View attachment 1014023

Still stoked to see your results! That would be insane if you could get them to flower!


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__________________________________________________________________
Cheap way to decrease nitrates and keep your fish healthy: http://monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504763
 

Bizzaro

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Oct 5, 2006
1,215
4
68
CA
Hello , just picked up a few "golden pothos" from home depot today. added them into my tank tonight.20140522_212501.jpg20140522_212513.jpg

WHY DO THEY ALWAYS UPLOAD SIDEWAYS!

hah. so that's about 3 thick plants all bundled into one and placed a little above the water line... it was hard with my tank... combo of fishing line and airlines tell i figure out my stand...... my local shop also have other one bith smaller leafs and more yellow... also a bigger one.. im going back to check them out cuz it was closing time,.

20140522_212501.jpg

20140522_212513.jpg
 

F1 VET

THE serrasalmus rhom
MFK Member
Nov 3, 2011
6,580
32
0
INDY
Hello , just picked up a few "golden pothos" from home depot today. added them into my tank tonight.View attachment 1014253View attachment 1014254

WHY DO THEY ALWAYS UPLOAD SIDEWAYS!

hah. so that's about 3 thick plants all bundled into one and placed a little above the water line... it was hard with my tank... combo of fishing line and airlines tell i figure out my stand...... my local shop also have other one bith smaller leafs and more yellow... also a bigger one.. im going back to check them out cuz it was closing time,.
Good stuff! Let us know the results

×Go S. Vettel #1 Infiniti Redbull! 4x WDC!!! Congrats on another flawless title× <GET BETTER SCHUMI>
__________________________________________________________________
Cheap way to decrease nitrates and keep your fish healthy: http://monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504763
 

vr6fan

Gambusia
MFK Member
Mar 30, 2010
620
1
18
Waukesha, WI
Just wanted to show my pothos setup....running in 2 ac 110s with the sponge cut in half...These plants took off right away (been going for 2 months), and have lowered my nitrates in my heavily stocked 180..seems like there's new growth every time I look and the leaves are huge. Thanks to f1vet for all your help and quick responses to questions...If you don't have pothos I would highly recommend it..I've kept fish for 30 years and this is one of the most beneficial things for my tanks I've come across. uploadfromtaptalk1401209484169.jpguploadfromtaptalk1401209506699.jpg

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luvinbluegills

Gambusia
MFK Member
Feb 26, 2011
529
16
18
Pgh PA
Just wanted to show my pothos setup....running in 2 ac 110s with the sponge cut in half...These plants took off right away (been going for 2 months), and have lowered my nitrates in my heavily stocked 180..seems like there's new growth every time I look and the leaves are huge. Thanks to f1vet for all your help and quick responses to questions...If you don't have pothos I would highly recommend it..I've kept fish for 30 years and this is one of the most beneficial things for my tanks I've come across. View attachment 1015400View attachment 1015401

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I've pretty much always had pothos as a houseplant (since the late seventies) and have NEVER seen such large leaves on them!
 

luvinbluegills

Gambusia
MFK Member
Feb 26, 2011
529
16
18
Pgh PA
In defense of Pothos as a living filter, I added just one broken off stem from mine to my planted 20 gallon long, and when I noticed that the aquatic plants weren't doing well for reason I couldn't quantify, I decided to remove the pothos (remember, it was just a single stem with good roots) to see what would happen.

Within four days there was a major improvement in the growth of the aquatic plants, and for me that stands as a testimony to the vigorous uptake of pothos.
 
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