Plants for Sump?

[amberjack]

This is a re-post from another forum but I'm looking for some suggestions and hopefully some of you can help out:

I finally have the sump set up with an acrylic top and fluorescent light. I'm looking for suggestions on how to best remove nitrates from the aquarium with the sump space I have (Nitrate sponge).

The Dimensions:

12" wide, 16" long, ~10" deep.

While I have had success with water wisteria and anacharis in past aquarium setups, and they seem tempting for use in the sump, I have heard that their growth is limited by the amount of dissolved CO2 in the water.

Any suggestions for low laying (~4") emmersed plants or some fast growing aquarium plants for my sump? I wonder if Water Hyacinth or Water Lettuce would fit in the space? Thanks in advance!

 

[Bk718]

hmm crap i forgot the name of the plant... But its a household plant that many people found to be great for sumps..

Edit: Peace Lilly is the plant!!

 

[amberjack]

you mean the Spath (Peace Lily) mentioned in another thread? If so, I'm limited by the height of the cover (4"). I guess I could go without the cover, but evaporation of water would be high :/

 

[Notophthalmus]

I think pothos can grow emersed, so it might be a good choice. Parrot's feather (Myriophyllum) and hornwort (Ceratophyllum) work. Floaters like duckweed are good. You can also use cut branches of any willow (Salix).

 

[BoredAgain]

I would say hornwort would be the best choice. It sucks up tons of nitrates, very undemanding, extremely fast grower, even without supplemental co2.

 

[midiamin]

Hyacinth, duckweed, salvinia all nitrate hogs and floating plant. Might have to cull occasionally but you can send that stuff to me (heh-heh). No special care necessary!

 

[j_chicago]

I would be worried about using duckweed, Could get sucked up into the display tank and take that over as well.

 

[midiamin]

Sponge on pump takes care of that.

 

[amberjack]

I do like the sound of duckweed. Seems like they are already used in commercial waste water treatment and would serve the sump well.. could also feed some of the excess to the Pacus as a snack?

 

[midiamin]

Possibly. I do know that Goldfish and Koi love the stuff. Cleans out their intestines. If you decide to use it let me know. DW can take over quickly and it does clog some systems so salvinia may be the way to go if you can find it.