Suggested Plants for Refugium/Sump

[amyjod2]

Hi,

I have a freshwater sump that I run on my 125 gal tank. I want to add plants to the refugium to help with filtering. Sand substrate( approp. for freshwater)
Sunpaq compact lighting. Any suggestions and where to find great.

Also any suggestions on keeping any kind of plant in substrate with JD,Oscar and pleco.

Thanks
Amy

 

[Squawkbert]

It will be very tough to keep anything rooted with JDs & Oscars as some (not all) of these specimens seem to take great delight in trenching out the bottom of their tanks, especially as they get larger. And Plecos, especially as they get large, will sometimes eat plants. If that happens, the plants will lose.

Swords are among few plants that establish large enough root systems to (possibly) withstand digging fish. Aside from these, you may be limited to stuff you can tie to driftwood.

 

[Sploke]

As far as nitrate export, emersed plants are usually the best bet because they aren't limited by the carbon in the water column, they can take it (CO2) right out of the air so they can grow faster with lower needs. Look at water hyacinth, or different bog plants. Otherwise, fast growing stem plants are a good bet, such as anacharis or hornwort.

 

[davexstumpe]

It will be very tough to keep anything rooted with JDs & Oscars as some (not all) of these specimens seem to take great delight in trenching out the bottom of their tanks, especially as they get larger. And Plecos, especially as they get large, will sometimes eat plants. If that happens, the plants will lose.

i don't think he wants to have plants in the actual tank, but i believe he means he wants to put plants in the sump

 

[amyjod2]

Thanks for the info.
To answer the question, it is both, I want plants in the sump, but also was questioning plants in the tank.
If I tie plants to the drift wood, which I have plenty of, then what is good. Thanks for taking the time as I really have no experience with plants.

Amy(by the way, I am a she, not he, :grinno:

 

[Sploke]

Anubias and java fern will both grow onto driftwood. You can try tying them on with string or fishing line. They are both fairly tough, low to medium light plants.

 

[Squawkbert]

^ right - other sump candidates would include duckweed, any Hygro species, Najas guadilupens (guppy grass)... w/ Lilies, be careful of sump overhead clearance & size (many lilies get big). Another stem plant that goes emergent & grows at a reasonable (not super fast) is Alternanthera reineckii.

Najas, duckweed, frogbit & java moss all do well as free floaters, so you could also add them to the display tank if you like.

 

[msjinkzd]

i second the hornwort for the sump, and anubias or java fern tied to driftwood for the tank.

 

[StereoKills]

For the sump I recommend hornwart or guppy grass. Both are extreamly fast growers and will suck the nitrates right out.

 

[loaches r cool]

As it was mentioned immersed plants will work far batter for nutrient uptake. I think I have read peace lilies are great for this.