> On 17-Aug-99, Ed wrote:
>
> Hello Ed,
>
> Aquatic plants do use nitrate, this is no misconception but scientific fact.
> They prefer ammonia as this is more readily available to them though. I have
> had {overstocked but} densely planted tanks that are 'nitrated closed bio
> cycles'. This doesn't mean that you can stop changing water, only the purpose
> changes, you're not lowering nitrates but replenishing trace elements for the
> plants. Note that plants can only effectively use nitrate if sufficient
> lighting, CO2 and trace elements are available.
>
> BTW the gravel shouldn't be vacuumed in planted tanks, just the debris lying
> on top. And I do have tanks which haven't even got any crud build up at all.
> :)
>
> Best regards,
>
> Hugo
So, if you add trace elements (via Dupla drops, or poor man's dupla drops), does
this mean that you can cut back water changes in your rainbowfish planted tank
to once every couple of months?
Anyone want to try and report back on the results? ;)
-- Stephen