Tiny discovery that is definately worth sharing.

[$INI$T3R]

So you dont have to put the plants in the tank persay... You can put them in your sump? But you still need the bio filtration right? All your getting rid of is the chemical filtration right? (no more carbon?)

 

[spotfin]

Yes, you can put the plants in the sump but they will need a light source though. I placed the pothos on top of my tank.
You do need biological filtration, the plants don't replace it. They take up nutrients from the water.

 

[FireMedic]

You can see in these photos that I have Pothos (sp) suspended in the sump. They are actually in a basket that is floating on styrofoam. I began with 13 individual cuttings, these boomed and busted. Only the 5 strongest have survived. The roots on theses 5 remaining specimens average 40 inches in length. I had to put in a small set of baffles to keep the roots from being burnt by the heaters and/or drafted into the return pump. For fun I tested my water and it was pretty much zeros across the board. Honestly, I don't even test anymore.

"K.I.S.S." - Nic

Healthy plants, clear, scent free water, pups, vibrant adults......it's all good.
Respectfully,
FireMedic

 

[RedTailKinG]

I have been secretly doing this for 3 weeks now and i gotta say it really works love it the water quality is way better not that it needed to be but wow it really makes everything stable and pure i put mine in the pot above the tank drapping down into the water the rays love it good work firemedic

 

[FireMedic]

Thank you, but i don't take the credit. Hydroponics have been around a long time. I just got lucky.
The one thing that I have not tried yet is confining the roots in a mesh filter bag or screen material. The occasional root mass breaks off and goes through the pump, no big deal yet. (luckily)

Post some pictures if you can.
-FM

 

[spotfin]

How long are the vines?

 

[FireMedic]

The actual vines (cuttings) themselves are each 5-7 inches long. They have all produced heavy leafing and root growth with little "vine" growth. -FM

 

[spotfin]

Interesting that the vines are so short. I started with 4 or 5 cuttings that are now several feet long; the longest is close to 7'. They receive natural light from a window so that probably helps.

 

[FireMedic]

Mine, unfortunately, are under artificial. -FM

 

[abortedsoul]

I can't seem to keep plants alive in my setup. I use special aquatic plant lighting, and have them in good soil in a separate tank. I haven't gone to ozone or anything (as they are just supposed to be part of the filtration), but I'd love to integrate them.

Any tips? Suggested species?