fish poop eaters

[keiferd]

I was just wondering if there is a hardy low-light plant that I can put in my tank to help with the waste situation. I have a lot of rockwork in my tank and there are spots where fish waste accumulates that is impossible to siphon out. If I place a plant in these spots to help drain some of the nitrates from the waste before it leaches out into the water will that help the situation? Even if the effect is nominal every little bit helps. The substrate is sand.

 

[soobie]

Maybe putting a powerhead or two in the tank will help eliminate the dead spots where the waste accumulates.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

it wont take care of waste but it can help with the nitrate build up. hornwort is a good floating plant. guppy grass fast growing. java moss is slower growing low light plant.

 

[keiferd]

will the plant have any benefit from being in the spot where the fish waste accumulates though?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

no. it will help over all but not going to keep one spot clean.

 

[blazingazn]

aquatic plants mainly absorb nutrients through their leaves and stems, their roots are flimsy and are mainly used for holding onto the substrate, but do absorb a little. so once detritus reaches the ground, plants arent able to do much with it with any efficiency.

 

[Bk718]

aquatic plants mainly absorb nutrients through their leaves and stems, their roots are flimsy and are mainly used for holding onto the substrate, but do absorb a little. so once detritus reaches the ground, plants arent able to do much with it with any efficiency.

Yes with some plants but then theres others which are mainly root hogs and actually need a nutrient rich substrate to grow.

 

[theotheragentm]

Stem plants suck up nutrients and grow like crazy generally.

 

[wataugachicken]

the nutrients will be used, but it's not like the plants are going to magically make the poop dissolve. you'll still see it.

 

[jpappy789]

I completely agree with the above statement.