CindiL
I don't see a lot on Ripariums here but it is my new and almost favorite hobby which is now in a 20 gallon tank because I wanted more plants!
If there is any way to sticky this it may help others Mike?
The benefit of having a riparium style tank is that land plants with their roots in the water will directly consume nitrates (as will emmersed aquatic plants). Fully immersed plants ironically have to convert nitrates back to ammonium in order to utilize the nutrients. I am by no means an expert but have learned a great deal.
Here is a list of many common house plants and tropical plants we think of for warm summer months that do well in Ripariums. This list is by no means exhaustive and many others can be used.
Umbrella Plant
Spathiphyllum (Lilly like flowers)
Java Fern
Anubias
Sword
Crypts
Bacopa and many others that are grown emmersed before you purchase them at the pet store.
Begonia
Coleus
Croton
Dracena
Herbs
Impatiens
Most Ivy of any type
Philodendron
Pothos
Sweet potato vine
Bamboo
A pic of my latest. This is a common riparium style but you can do this with your regularly filled aquarium also.
From left to center
Umbrella, dracena, lilly (spathiphyllum), coleus. The umbrella and spathiphyllum will grow taller like the dracena.
I have kept the bottom simple with crypts and java ferns.
I like this nitrate busting tank idea so much I put Philodendrons (on the sides of the tank with roots in) and curly bamboo in my planted tank and have seen a large change in nitrates. This is my larger 35g tank.
I found simple clear toothbrush suction holders at Menards that make great containers though I bought stronger suction cups.
You thoroughly rinse the dirt off and can use sand or small gravel with a root tab in the container.
Helpful sites are
where you can purchase riparium specific supplies.
www.thriftyfun.com/growing-plants-in-water-1.html which has great suggestions to many of the plants I listed already.
If there is any way to sticky this it may help others Mike?
The benefit of having a riparium style tank is that land plants with their roots in the water will directly consume nitrates (as will emmersed aquatic plants). Fully immersed plants ironically have to convert nitrates back to ammonium in order to utilize the nutrients. I am by no means an expert but have learned a great deal.
Here is a list of many common house plants and tropical plants we think of for warm summer months that do well in Ripariums. This list is by no means exhaustive and many others can be used.
Umbrella Plant
Spathiphyllum (Lilly like flowers)
Java Fern
Anubias
Sword
Crypts
Bacopa and many others that are grown emmersed before you purchase them at the pet store.
Begonia
Coleus
Croton
Dracena
Herbs
Impatiens
Most Ivy of any type
Philodendron
Pothos
Sweet potato vine
Bamboo
A pic of my latest. This is a common riparium style but you can do this with your regularly filled aquarium also.
From left to center
Umbrella, dracena, lilly (spathiphyllum), coleus. The umbrella and spathiphyllum will grow taller like the dracena.
I have kept the bottom simple with crypts and java ferns.
I like this nitrate busting tank idea so much I put Philodendrons (on the sides of the tank with roots in) and curly bamboo in my planted tank and have seen a large change in nitrates. This is my larger 35g tank.
I found simple clear toothbrush suction holders at Menards that make great containers though I bought stronger suction cups.
You thoroughly rinse the dirt off and can use sand or small gravel with a root tab in the container.
Helpful sites are
where you can purchase riparium specific supplies.
www.thriftyfun.com/growing-plants-in-water-1.html which has great suggestions to many of the plants I listed already.
