Plant Filtration

ddavila06

ddavila06

Members
probably! i have run my 75with only a powerhead on for the longest time! (not on purpose, i cleaned it and left it and when i came back two months later it was perfectly fine!)
but i wouldnt do it right away, have a well settled tank first. bte, if no powerhead then it gets murky
 
verbal

verbal

CCA Members
Why not just have a sponge filter? As Damian mentioned letting the plants get established first. I think the key would be heavy planting with good growth for the plants. In terms of fish you would need to stock and feed lightly.
 
T

tug

Guest
Wisteria weed, is a nutrient sponge.

The biofilms that clean fish waist and/or grow on sponge filters will also live on your plants. Add to that any nutrients the plants themselves take in and there is little to no need for filters to remove fish waste.

Having said all that, good water flow is also beneficial and I too recommend some form of a powerhead. You can spend as little or as much as you want on a powerhead these days.

I use a canister filter to help with O2 and nutrient distribution. It also polishes the water. Lately, I have been thinking of using an overflow with a sump to improve O2 levels and help ease water changes for the fish, all the good things about sumps, not found in canister filters.

Unless you are a pretty experienced plant keeper, I'd say regular water changes are the way to go.
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I agree. Fertilizer and more frequent water changes are easier for the bigginer. A tip of my hat to lady Walstead and anyone who can setup a Walstead style planted tank.

But even water changes depend on what method you use - Walstead style planted tanks use fewer water changes; EI, weekly; low maintenance planted tanks/modified EI (low CO2 and lighting levels) require fewer water changes or more (as in every other day). It depends on what you are willing to try.

There are several methods for growing aquatic weeds. Pick a method that will work for you, read up on it and once the plants are established then yes, they are a very effective filter. Wisteria weed, is a nutrient sponge. Still, providing a second layer of bio-filtration (like a canister or HOB filter) is more the standard practice.

Yes - angle fish waste will be eaten by plants. Angel fish on the other hand, no way!
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Plants eat the fish waste, Angel fish eat the guppies and the guppies eat everything, including the biofilm. :angel2:
 
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Spine

Spine

Members
I've done it both ways with a powerhead and with no filter at all. The tank with the powerhead did better. Tug has given some great suggestions. You can go to the GWAPA site and do a search for more ideas.
 
T

tug

Guest
As easy as removing a tattoo.

You may want to take a look at a thread of mine were I have posted a compilation of several links on growing plants. The links have blue type and when you move your curser over them they are underlined. It is slanted towards EI but I've tried to include other links on low maintenance planted tanks. Nothing about relationships gone bad, but I hope this helps. ;)
http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/5629-Dosing?p=37013#post37013

I hope I haven't taken you to far off topic but the plants need to be healthy if they are going to be effective filters.
 
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