Clarity Around Live Plants and Filter Media

[Daeraizover]

Hey All, I had switched over to live plants and with live plants comes to new learns and changing of filtration.

So far what I understand is:

• There is no need and I shouldn't be using activated carbon with live plants
• the same goes for any phosphate remover and ammonia remover
• it is safe to use purigen and chemi pure green
• I should put a more stronger focus on mechanical and biological filtration
• I should not use an air stone at the same time while injecting co2. however I can run an airstone at night when the co2 is off and only if I don't have must surface agitation

if I am correct in what I am saying can someone chime in about this?

 

[Pfrozen]

Hey All, I had switched over to live plants and with live plants comes to new learns and changing of filtration.

So far what I understand is:

• There is no need and I shouldn't be using activated carbon with live plants
• the same goes for any phosphate remover and ammonia remover
• it is safe to use purigen and chemi pure green
• I should put a more stronger focus on mechanical and biological filtration
• I should not use an air stone at the same time while injecting co2. however I can run an airstone at night when the co2 is off and only if I don't have must surface agitation

if I am correct in what I am saying can someone chime in about this?

The activated charcoal thing isn't plant specific... most people only use it to remove medications since it can also remove beneficial compounds from the water

Phosphate removers are only temporary fixes, if your source water has a chronic issue with high phosphates you should fix it rather than spend money on sponges every week

The ammonia and nitrite ones are unnecessary for a fully cycled tank.. you actually don't want to be using those

And you should always have a strong focus on biological and mechanical filtration as a general rule

Everything else looks good, what kind of plants are you getting?

 

[Mudminnow]

• There is no need and I shouldn't be using activated carbon with live plants
• the same goes for any phosphate remover and ammonia remover
• it is safe to use purigen and chemi pure green

In my opinion, these products generally don't need to be used in a planted aquarium. Although, there may be specific circumstances--like emergencies--where these products can be useful.

• I should put a more stronger focus on mechanical and biological filtration

Yes, I agree with this.

• I should not use an air stone at the same time while injecting co2. however I can run an airstone at night when the co2 is off and only if I don't have must surface agitation

This one is not as straight forward. Even though you'll need to use more CO2 in a tank with surface agitation (be it from an airstone or from something else), it can actually be very beneficial. To get a better understanding on why this is, check out this video:

.

 

[Daeraizover]

In my opinion, these products generally don't need to be used in a planted aquarium. Although, there may be specific circumstances--like emergencies--where these products can be useful.


Yes, I agree with this.


This one is not as straight forward. Even though you'll need to use more CO2 in a tank with surface agitation (be it from an airstone or from something else), it can actually be very beneficial. To get a better understanding on why this is, check out this video:

.

the only surface agitation I have is coming from my return filter. I current ly don't have an airstone in the tank

 

[Mhamilton0911]

+1 to what Pfrozen said. In addition though, I do use purigen on my large tank, since my family isn't into the tannin colored water from driftwood. No carbon or other removal media though. I do have a tannin tank for my betta though, but he's on my desk so no one gets a say in it

Plants are fun, and way easier than I originally thought. I have quite the collection in various tanks and no CO2, just good lighting.

 

[Daeraizover]

+1 to what Pfrozen said. In addition though, I do use purigen on my large tank, since my family isn't into the tannin colored water from driftwood. No carbon or other removal media though. I do have a tannin tank for my betta though, but he's on my desk so no one gets a say in it

Plants are fun, and way easier than I originally thought. I have quite the collection in various tanks and no CO2, just good lighting.

speaking about lighting im trying to save up to get the Fluval plant led light for my 55

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I'm using hygger and Nicrew lights between all the planted tanks and love them. They might not be as tech-y as the fluval lights, but they grow plants really well, and plug in timers are an easy substitute for lights without timers built in.

 

[Daeraizover]

I'm using hygger and Nicrew lights between all the planted tanks and love them. They might not be as tech-y as the fluval lights, but they grow plants really well, and plug in timers are an easy substitute for lights without timers built in.

do you have a problem with the Hygger lights showing the led colors on the substrate like the red or blue leds?

 

[Pfrozen]

Check out the Chihiros fixtures as well, always my recommendation for a premium fixture