plants??

[schizo_fish]

ive been told by one member that plants dont use up nitrates, then told by another that they do.
what things to plants take in from the water, and what do they give out?
also, what is pearling? and what does it entail?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

From what I have learned when making my planted tanks, they do not use only nitrate, but amonia and nitrite too because these are more rich in the waste sources. My planted tanks have got very low, often 0 nitrAte and all my tanks are stocked, one quite heaily.

I do not know about pearling, but I would be interested to find out.

 

[luxum]

Pearling occurs when the plants are making O2 but the water is already saturated with O2, it makes tiny bubbles form at the leaves. I have also had unmeasurable nitrates due to plants and a low fish load.

Plants remove all sorts of nutrients from the water in addition to the nitrogen products they use. They release O2 into the water during photosynthesis. As far as i know they directly release no other waste products, at least nothing that could effect your fish.