Cheap plants, less nitrate! POTHOS

[Drstrangelove]

Gorgeous tank! And the plants look like they are thriving.

@DrStrangeLove

Where my filters knock the ammonia and nitrites down to zero immediatly, and have for years. Then upon introducing pothos, because no ammonia or nitrites are available, they absorb their last choice... nitrates.

That is... until the cycle balances out and the plants begin to absorb more ammonia and nitrites over time lessoning the filters bb and raising the nitrates back to normal levels.

Aquatic plants tend to prefer ammonia. Terrestrial plants tend to prefer nitrate when in soil. And Pothos is terrestrial. However, studies have found some terrestrial plants will consume ammonia even when nitrate is present (potatoes), and when used hydroponically (roses, melons), so it's probable that Pothos are consuming ammonia, when used in water, when they have a choice, and nitrates when that is all there is.

The absorption of ammonia by Pothos would not allow nitrates to rise because they would be removing ammonia from the system. No ammonia, no nitrites. No nitrites, no nitrates.

 

[krustyart]

@Krustyfart

Are Those just regular pothos around that tree? My God the are gigantic!!! Shows what perfect growing conditions you have there if they are.

@CatFartRacer ○
Yes, that is the mother plant of all the pothos I have in my fish tanks. Pothos has, in Central Florida, been given "Invasive Non-Native" status because it grows so well here in the wild. It can grow up a tree 100 feet tall and once it does that it can easily tolerate full sun. Which is something it's not particularly fond of when it's in tiny leaf mode.

 

[F1 VET]

Gorgeous tank! And the plants look like they are thriving.





Aquatic plants tend to prefer ammonia. Terrestrial plants tend to prefer nitrate when in soil. And Pothos is terrestrial. However, studies have found some terrestrial plants will consume ammonia even when nitrate is present (potatoes), and when used hydroponically (roses, melons), so it's probable that Pothos are consuming ammonia, when used in water, when they have a choice, and nitrates when that is all there is.

The absorption of ammonia by Pothos would not allow nitrates to rise because they would be removing ammonia from the system. No ammonia, no nitrites. No nitrites, no nitrates.

Very good write ups strange love, your dedication to the nitrate reduction/biological filtration is awesome and much appreciated, I enjoyed every second of reading it and I'm sure mfkers for years to come will as well! Again thx



@catfish beautiful tank, I love every aspect of it, looks very natural and sleek, the tiny sump dedicated for the pothos is too cool! :thumbup:

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Go S.Vettel #1 RB8 3X WDC!!!!!!!!!

Well, I just learned something useful on this site...there's a first! KAKAAAAW! ON IT.

>http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS

 

[Tiller11]

Ok ive got some vines that are about 3 ft long now n im having teouble figuring out where to put them on the top of the tank so how do i go about snipping part of it off to replant in the tank? Ill post pics when i get home

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[F1 VET]

Ok ive got some vines that are about 3 ft long now n im having teouble figuring out where to put them on the top of the tank so how do i go about snipping part of it off to replant in the tank? Ill post pics when i get home

Sent from my SPH-D710 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

Do you have a canopy or lid.?

__________________________________________________________________

Go S.Vettel #1 RB8 3X WDC!!!!!!!!!

Well, I just learned something useful on this site...there's a first! KAKAAAAW! ON IT.

>http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS

 

[Catfishracer]

Gorgeous tank! And the plants look like they are thriving.





Aquatic plants tend to prefer ammonia. Terrestrial plants tend to prefer nitrate when in soil. And Pothos is terrestrial. However, studies have found some terrestrial plants will consume ammonia even when nitrate is present (potatoes), and when used hydroponically (roses, melons), so it's probable that Pothos are consuming ammonia, when used in water, when they have a choice, and nitrates when that is all there is.

The absorption of ammonia by Pothos would not allow nitrates to rise because they would be removing ammonia from the system. No ammonia, no nitrites. No nitrites, no nitrates.

Ok I think I understand now. So for a simple minded guy... Pothos absorb ammonia, as opposed to filters which convert it to nitrite then nitrate.

So you agree pothos are a good means of reducing nitrates naturally?


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[Catfishracer]

@CatFartRacer ○
Yes, that is the mother plant of all the pothos I have in my fish tanks. Pothos has, in Central Florida, been given "Invasive Non-Native" status because it grows so well here in the wild. It can grow up a tree 100 feet tall and once it does that it can easily tolerate full sun. Which is something it's not particularly fond of when it's in tiny leaf mode.

Payback is a *****. Love my new screen name. Lol.
Most lush pothos I have ever seen.


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[Catfishracer]

OK I think I understand now. A tank with only a massive sump of pothos may be ideal. In a biofilter- potho combo after adding the pothos, as they grow they slowly steal more and more ammonia away from the BB in the biofilter. Which lessons available bb in the filter, but also lowers nitrates. Because the biofilter generally only converts ammonia to nitrite then nitrate, while pothos absorb it. So, if you had a situation where the pothos were to all die and start rotting you may have an ammonia super spike since they are now taking the load.

Tell me I've got it now?

 

[Drstrangelove]

Pothos absorb ammonia, as opposed to filters which convert it to nitrite then nitrate.

So you agree pothos are a good means of reducing nitrates naturally?


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You bet! No question that this is a great option: adds beauty to a tank or sump, is natural, cleans up nitrates, provides a buffer for a tank owner in case a WC can't be done, can reduce a weekly huge WC to a modest one (e.g., 65% to 30%), is inexpensive and---if over or in the tank----a more natural and stress reducing environment. The posts in this thread from people using Pothos support that very well.

 

[Drstrangelove]

4) It's possible that pothos consumes ammonium or nitrate, or both in this process. Terrestrial plants typically absorb ammonium much faster and easier than nitrate, although some studies suggest that some nitrate being present will enhance ammonium absorption. The model above would look the same regardless.
http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/Plants_and_Biological_Filtration

Correction for clarity.

4) It's possible that pothos consumes ammonium or nitrate, or both in this process. Many terrestrial plants absorb ammonium much faster and easier than nitrate when in water, (they do the opposite when in soil), although some studies suggest that some nitrate being present will enhance ammonium absorption. The model above would look the same regardless.