Low Maintence Terraphyte Tank

BBradbury · 11-27-2012, 03:07 PM

This is a 38 G, moderately stocked with Fancy Guppies and some low light aquatic plants. The emersed plants are Aglaonema and Pothos. The roots take in the nutrients from the dissolved fish waste and maintain pure water conditions, no ammonia or nitrites and very low nitrates. The leaves are kept above the water to take in CO2 from the air. The emersed plants require only low, room light and periodic trimming. The total, weekly maintenance time is about 30 minutes.

This tank requires no water changes and only needs a little water replaced weekly, due to evaporation. The plants thrive in the nutrient rich water and the fish thrive in the pure water.

If you've grown tired of large, weekly water changes, but still want healthy fish and plants, then this may be your kind of tank.

Just a thought.

B

GMYukonon24s · 11-27-2012, 03:19 PM

I like your tank the plants look like they love it.

GreenBliss · 11-27-2012, 04:16 PM

I love those plants on top. Shame I could never try that with my cats.

BBradbury · 11-27-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBliss

I love those plants on top. Shame I could never try that with my cats.

Hello Green...

We've got eight indoor cats and they've never bothered the tank, that I know. Something about these particular plants that discourages curiosity.

B

daffyfish · 11-28-2012, 02:09 AM

What kind of filtration are you using?

PaulG · 12-12-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffyfish

What kind of filtration are you using?

The plants are the filtration.

caoder · 12-10-2012, 02:42 AM

what plants do you have under the above water plants?

bbroush · 12-12-2012, 04:00 AM

I would love to convert to this, but I'm worried my plants underneath wouldn't do well, and my tank isn't in a place it gets sunlight.... It's a great idea though, and I do currently have pothos that seems to be doing well emmersed. The roots are growing fairly quickly. So I imagine it's doing something!

ony · 12-12-2012, 11:43 AM

Its not great for aquatic plants tbh as the terrestrial ones will suck up all the nutrients from the water column. You either need to dose ferts like there's no tomorrow or stick to heavy root feeders.

11-27-2012, 03:07 PM	#1
BBradbury Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 1,331	Low Maintence Terraphyte Tank This is a 38 G, moderately stocked with Fancy Guppies and some low light aquatic plants. The emersed plants are Aglaonema and Pothos. The roots take in the nutrients from the dissolved fish waste and maintain pure water conditions, no ammonia or nitrites and very low nitrates. The leaves are kept above the water to take in CO2 from the air. The emersed plants require only low, room light and periodic trimming. The total, weekly maintenance time is about 30 minutes. This tank requires no water changes and only needs a little water replaced weekly, due to evaporation. The plants thrive in the nutrient rich water and the fish thrive in the pure water. If you've grown tired of large, weekly water changes, but still want healthy fish and plants, then this may be your kind of tank. Just a thought. B __________________ "Aquarium (Water Building) Keeper" Last edited by BBradbury; 05-01-2013 at 07:56 PM..

11-27-2012, 03:19 PM	#2
GMYukonon24s Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2009 Location: MICHIGAN Posts: 2,842	I like your tank the plants look like they love it. __________________ 110g Tropical Community & Sakura Shrimp 55g BN Breeding Grounds, Peacock Gudgeons, Panda, Pygmies, & Smudge Spot Cories, Rili Shrimp 10g RCS and show guppies MIAPG - Come join us - Plantedtank - MI - Greatlakesaquaria

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11-27-2012, 04:16 PM	#3
GreenBliss Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: WCH Ohio Posts: 302	I love those plants on top. Shame I could never try that with my cats.

11-28-2012, 02:09 AM	#5
daffyfish Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 84	What kind of filtration are you using?

12-10-2012, 02:42 AM	#7
caoder Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 112	what plants do you have under the above water plants?

12-12-2012, 04:00 AM	#8
bbroush Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 53	I would love to convert to this, but I'm worried my plants underneath wouldn't do well, and my tank isn't in a place it gets sunlight.... It's a great idea though, and I do currently have pothos that seems to be doing well emmersed. The roots are growing fairly quickly. So I imagine it's doing something!

12-12-2012, 11:43 AM	#9
ony Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK Posts: 271	Its not great for aquatic plants tbh as the terrestrial ones will suck up all the nutrients from the water column. You either need to dose ferts like there's no tomorrow or stick to heavy root feeders.