Just wanted to show my Pothos Nitrate Filter. Been running for 4 days and Nitrates are down to 40ppm from >80ppm+ and my TDS has even dropped from 380 down to about 355. I really didn't expect much for at least a few weeks, but so far I'm more than pleasantly impressed.
The output from my Rena XP3 goes directly into the planter sitting on top of my tank (Kind of ugly, but oh well). In the planter is about 10L of Hydroton and a bubble stone that goes the full length of the planter to increase the oxygen content of the O2 depleted water from the filter. On the bottom of the planter, opposite of the filter output, is a simple 1" pipe that sits about 4 inches above the bottom of the planter and drains directly down into the tank. This is basically a DWC (Deep Water Culture) hydroponics setup where the water is never drained and O2 is supplied by bubbles. Also, the bubbles prevent any anarobic zones in the hydroton by constantly disturbing the water and the constant flow from the pump ensures a fresh supply of nitrate rich water.
Because the water is filter output, there should be less build up of organic compounds (poop) in the hydroton while getting a direct supply of bacteria that blows through the filter. I want all the organic solids breakdown to occur inside the filter so I can clean it out and eliminate some of the generation of nitrates; the point isn't to create a ton of nutrients for the plants in my case. If some of the plants starve to death because there aren't enough nutrients, that is a good thing in my book!
In the photo, there are two large pothos broken up into their individual cuttings (Also one lucky bamboo just because). Within the last 4 days, I've noticed about an inch of growth on the longer stems and there are a handful of new leaves developing. I really didn't expect them to take off so soon from what I've read from other's experience doing this. I did add 5mL of Seachem Flourish to ensure the plants had some of the other nutrients not supplied by poop. I think part of the reason for this fast growth is the bubbling within the planter. Because I have goldfish & Koi, I aerate the water with another stone inside the tank from another air pump which should keep O2 levels up even after filtration so the bubbles in the planter just add to it for the plants like a true hydroponic DWC system which is known to show quick & rapid growth.
The only 'negative' I've noticed is that I'm evaporating a TON more water from the tank... I'm having to add about 1/2 to 1 gallon per day of water to replenish water levels. Also, another odd thing I've noticed is that after extended times with the lights off, there is one drop of water on the very tips of the majority of leaves. Just a single drop on the very end of most leaves and of course, it did not rain inside my house so this shows just how much water is being drawn up into the plants for filtering.
EDIT: Thanks to CWO4GUNNER for the original post describing this to me back a year or so ago.
The output from my Rena XP3 goes directly into the planter sitting on top of my tank (Kind of ugly, but oh well). In the planter is about 10L of Hydroton and a bubble stone that goes the full length of the planter to increase the oxygen content of the O2 depleted water from the filter. On the bottom of the planter, opposite of the filter output, is a simple 1" pipe that sits about 4 inches above the bottom of the planter and drains directly down into the tank. This is basically a DWC (Deep Water Culture) hydroponics setup where the water is never drained and O2 is supplied by bubbles. Also, the bubbles prevent any anarobic zones in the hydroton by constantly disturbing the water and the constant flow from the pump ensures a fresh supply of nitrate rich water.
Because the water is filter output, there should be less build up of organic compounds (poop) in the hydroton while getting a direct supply of bacteria that blows through the filter. I want all the organic solids breakdown to occur inside the filter so I can clean it out and eliminate some of the generation of nitrates; the point isn't to create a ton of nutrients for the plants in my case. If some of the plants starve to death because there aren't enough nutrients, that is a good thing in my book!
In the photo, there are two large pothos broken up into their individual cuttings (Also one lucky bamboo just because). Within the last 4 days, I've noticed about an inch of growth on the longer stems and there are a handful of new leaves developing. I really didn't expect them to take off so soon from what I've read from other's experience doing this. I did add 5mL of Seachem Flourish to ensure the plants had some of the other nutrients not supplied by poop. I think part of the reason for this fast growth is the bubbling within the planter. Because I have goldfish & Koi, I aerate the water with another stone inside the tank from another air pump which should keep O2 levels up even after filtration so the bubbles in the planter just add to it for the plants like a true hydroponic DWC system which is known to show quick & rapid growth.
The only 'negative' I've noticed is that I'm evaporating a TON more water from the tank... I'm having to add about 1/2 to 1 gallon per day of water to replenish water levels. Also, another odd thing I've noticed is that after extended times with the lights off, there is one drop of water on the very tips of the majority of leaves. Just a single drop on the very end of most leaves and of course, it did not rain inside my house so this shows just how much water is being drawn up into the plants for filtering.
EDIT: Thanks to CWO4GUNNER for the original post describing this to me back a year or so ago.
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Perhaps that pothos filter can turn into a vegetable sump for an indoor pond...lol
