Undergravel filter, how to deal with palnts ?

[fishy business]

Ive got an undegravel filter, ive heard that plants dont grow all that good with these, can any one shed any light on this, and some solutions on how to keep them in good nik now that i have an undergravel filter.

Thanks lee

 

[babyfish]

Put them in pots or plastic food containers

 

[jams.alaskan]

Just about everywhere I've looked they say that the UGF and plants with root systems don't mix. Can't see where it would be a problem for bunch or log growers like java fern and moss...

ALASKA

 

[Da_Oz]

use powerheads insted of air stones. Plant the plants and leave them there, don't move them.

 

[Silly me]

they say that the UGF and plants with root systems don't mix

Most plants use there root to get some elements and nutrience from you substrate..

well with a UGF, anything you add to the substrate will be pumped into the water.. not only removing everything from the roots but feeding it to the algae

I cant see anyone growing anything other than java fern with a UGF

sine you'll need low light the keep the algae to a min, some brown algae, eaters, and keep the gravel as clean as possible.

some people said that the root of some plant grow into the plates of the UFG filter and is growing wonderfull, but this is due to the area where the plant is, died down and not working as a filter anymore.

 

[fishy business]

Thanks for the help guys, what are power heads ?

 

[Bangin]

Powerheads are for water circulation..ie water pump.

You can grow a lot of plants with an undergravel filter. The main problem with it is that the root systems get tangled in the UGF which makes it difficult to move the plants later.

 

[Lateral Line]

Many years ago, I used to use UGF's and had reasonable success with swords, vallis crypts etc. It is certainly true that plants grow better without UGF's but it is by no means impossible.

 

[Cat]

Well we had a ugh in our hexagon tank ,I don't know the plants names (no comment Lateral) But theygrew really well ,put out roots and looked good,so I would say yes try a few [plants in it>