Best option for nitrate removal

[Mr Gumby]

Hi all

I'm currently working on a good forest of elodea densa to hide my intake but mainly to consume nitrate. 

What are peoples thoughts on lots of trimming so it bushes out or just having more narrow plants to consume nitrate. 

In short would a few really big plants consume more nitrate than more smaller ones? 

Thoughts?? 

[KBOzzie59]

Plant growth is plant growth and faster growing plants, well, consume more.

[ScottieB]

In theory, yes. More plant biomass/plant surface are take up more nitrate (and other minerals too). But smaller, faster growing plants would use more nitrate then say a tall anubias that grows a new leaf every 6 months. 

If you want to keep small plants trimmed, you could reduce feedings, keep the light on a little longer, reduce the amount of fish, increase the amount of plants or water changes to name a few other ways to reduce nitrate. 

 

 

Edited May 6, 2021 by ScottieB

[Mr Gumby]

I'm just thinking of the elodea densa as if I trim it low it puts out 2 shoots so in theory if I keep trimming the shoots eventually I'd have a really thick Bush from each plant. 

If I leave it to grow its a very narrow plant. 

Maybe the choice is more aesthetic than anything else