filtration & plants

[marisullivan]

I have a "hang on the back" filtration system - that seems to be sucking in not only water - but my floating plants as well. I had afriend of mine that recommended a diy filtration since the plants provide so much nutrients, thus resulting in me turning off my "whisper filtration" and keep my plants. It just makes me VERY nervous - but if I can salvage my plants and keep my fish - I am all for it.

Any suggestions?

 

[mgamer20o0]

keep the water up all the way. plus you can use a diffuser. what happens is the water falling over the tank is pushing the plants down and then getting sucked up.

 

[HN1]

You can create a "pond" at the top of the water with airline tubing to keep your plants away from the filter output. Hope that makes sense... very easy, cheap and effective IME.

 

[DragonFish71]

You can create a "pond" at the top of the water with airline tubing to keep your plants away from the filter output. Hope that makes sense... very easy, cheap and effective IME.

+1


I've also used fishing line since it's not as noticeable but both work well. (unless you have a pleco that likes to play with the floating plants like our big one does)

 

[marisullivan]

How would I do that?
I can research it, but would not know where to start - and am considering a "natural biological diy filtration system" - but again, just nearvous as to how dirty my water will become. In this tank it is a 40g with black mollies, plattys, guppies (live breeders in essence). I have a few snails, a long airstone and heater along with water sprite, water lettuce, java moss, and java fern. I just feel like my tank is filthy - but I am trying to grow plants and so sucking the subtrate during cleaning is not going to work. ugh - this is so hard.

You can create a "pond" at the top of the water with airline tubing to keep your plants away from the filter output. Hope that makes sense... very easy, cheap and effective IME.

 

[marisullivan]

I got pics - will upload shortly

 

[HN1]

Make a small loop with airline tubing and make sure it floats. Then anchor it at the waterline where you want your plants. Put plants inside loop.

I wish I could get a pic, but I can't for awhile.

 

[marisullivan]

This will hold the water lettuce in place?

Make a small loop with airline tubing and make sure it floats. Then anchor it at the waterline where you want your plants. Put plants inside loop.

I wish I could get a pic, but I can't for awhile.

 

[Lowryder]

This will hold the water lettuce in place?

Yes.