Great for taking out nutrients???

Yes, you do want to have nutrients in the water. How much depends on how your tank is set up, light levels, co2 injection, plant mass ect. Most plants will get what they need from the water column, if there are enough nutrients there. Some low light aquariums do not dose much fertilizer in the water, and use root tabs or a substrate with nutrients in it

What they mean is excess nutrients. Plants need nutrients in the water column all the time. Some of the nutrients in the water column is absorbed by the substrate. If there's too much nutrient in the substrate - it leaches out (osmosis) to the water column. The roots get nutrients from the substrate, leaves are able to absorb nutrients from the water column.

Taking out Nutrients

saguaro48 said:

In reading descriptions of some floating plants, I see the statement ",,,great for taking out nutrients." I'm confused. Don't I want to have nutrients in the water for plants?
Also, do rooted plants get what they need for growth only from what is in the substrate, or do they also draw from what is in the water?
If these questions show that I do not know much about aquarium plants, that is right!!
Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

Hello s...

You want nutrients in the water, but if you have more than the plants can use, then algae can become a problem. The plant roots take in water and remove the nutrients and put the water back. So, you want to provide food on a regular basis. The fish provide most of the plant food (macro nutrients) and if you want, you can provide the "micro nutrients/trace elements" by adding liquids, dry, granules, tablets, etc.

Not a very scientific answer, but I believe those are the facts. Pretty simple.

B

Thanks to both replies. Yes, I don't need the scientific explanations :icon_cool
I have a low light setup with a 36 gal. bowfront aquarium and am not interested in co2, etc. I do use root tabs and Aqueon Plant Food. The plants I originally obtained came via USPS in the middle of an Arizona heat wave so the ones that are still alive still look somewhat scruffy. Thought they were being shipped from a location nearer to me than they were.

Just hoping for the best, but looking for some simple advice.
Thanks again.

Plants generally absorb nutrients through the roots. The roots have a selective capability in absorbing particular nutrients that the plant requires/needs. It's good to have a porous substrate in order for the nutrients in the water to reach the roots. http://www.agcsa.com.au/static/atm_articles/vol24/absorb.htm