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

Cablemonkey

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 10, 2011
149
1
0
Everton, MO
Has anyone ever tried sweet potato plants? They grow beautiful extensive vines and dont require insane lighting. we start them by putting a section of the potato in about an inch of water, the eyes below water level sprout roots and the ones above sprout shoots and leaves. Very pretty purple and green leaves. It would be awesome to stretch the runners across multiple tanks, brighten up your fish room while doing some filtering! :D
 

Cablemonkey

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 10, 2011
149
1
0
Everton, MO
Here is how some pictures of how we start our shoots. My wife is the pro but I know eventually she will cut some of the fresh shoots and put them in water, starting the whole root process again w/o the potato being involved. This is a larger potato breed (we grow them for eating/doggy treats) but there are much much smaller breeds that still give excellent decorative vines and leaves, just smaller potatoes.IMG_6515.JPGIMG_6514.JPGIMG_6513.JPGIMG_6508.JPGIMG_6516.JPG

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ITHURTZ

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 11, 2007
1,843
33
81
Antioch IL
What happens though after they produce potatoes, does the plant die? Or would this be a continue produce producing plant year round? Watermelon loves moist soil :) Someone grow a fishmelon!

My 3 maple seeds got moldy, so at a house today I look down and boom baby maples! I pulled 2 from the ground and stuck them in.
If this doesnt work I will just forget trees and stay with plants. The willow branch never got a chance, it didnt do nothing but dry up.



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THe maps are about 15" tall.

I also have some elm trees growing hahah, I dont know how well they will do, been in for about 4 days so far and all looks well for now.


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Cablemonkey

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 10, 2011
149
1
0
Everton, MO
What happens though after they produce potatoes, does the plant die? Or would this be a continue produce producing plant year round?
I believe this is dependent on species of sweet potato, I think some of the more decorative variates can be grown year round. I will have to look into it more, this is getting more into my wifes area lol.
 

carsona246

Gambusia
MFK Member
Feb 12, 2009
553
2
18
Arkansas
Anyone's plant roots taking over the tank yet? I should get a picture up here but I can't find my camera, but my roots are taking over. I'm thinking about trimming them or something
 
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