Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
Do plants serve as an effective waste remover in aquariums?
i have a 75 gallon tank with cichlids, and while they seem fine, i dont want sudden health complications to happen. it has been months since the tank has been cleaned, and i dont do it in part because the entire bottom is covered with an elaborate rock system for them to hide, i also dont like the syphoning method either. do plants effectively remove waste? (i think it could only act as a fertilizer.)
cichlids are way too aggressive for most crabs. any alternatives?
there is sand on the botom too and it comes up with the poo
5 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
An effective waste remover? No. But they do help with the maintenance of a tank. They sufficiently keep the gravel clean around them but not of excess food a waste from the fish. If you have a good amount of plants in the tank they will absolutely reduce if not eliminate the amount of algae in your tank. I just had a whole tank of cichlids die because I waited too long to clean the tank, I hope the same problem does not happen to you. One thing I would strongly recommend, if you haven't done already, is to get a powerhead int he tank to circulate the water. You already gave them the elaborate rock system they strongly desire, but that system reduces water flow which in turn greatly increases the chances of a dirty tank. I hope this helps.
Source(s): Avid fish owner - 1 decade ago
The plants in your tank do break down the nitrate that is there. Also yes you would need alot of plants to remove most of the waste and some people cant afford the lights and co2. However there two types of aquotic plants that groe wonderfully with moderate light and no added co2. Twisted valserna and cambomba. If you have a standard 20 gal tank two floa-sun standard florescent bulbs will be fine and add more light accordingly to larger tanks. And a bag or two of flourite live substrate.
As for the un eaten food get a couple fiddler crabs
Source(s): Having had 2-50s 2-30s and a 20 planted tank and 2 years in aquotics at PETCO - Jason PLv 51 decade ago
Yes and no...
Plants absorb nitrates, which is the end result of the waste breaking down. However, the amount of plants needed to remove enough of it is... well a lot. In order to pack that many plants into an aquarium you will need excellent lighting and a CO2 injection system.
There are things that plants don't remove.. such as decaying bits of uneaten food or large piece of poo. Leaving this in your tank could result in either fungal or bacterial infection in your fish.
While plants may reduce the amount of maintenance needed, they do not replace the need for water changes.
- 1 decade ago
The plants we have in our tank don't really. Ours tank is dirty as heck with them, lol. So most likely, no.
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
