How To Grow Sweet Potato In Fish Tank

September 18, 2019

How to grow sweet potato in aquarium:

In this tutorial I will show you how to grow a sweet potato plant in fish tank which can be used as a free of cost nitrates filter. The byproducts of ammonia can create a big problem which could be due to the outcome of aquarium debris, leftover food, & dead plants. I want to grow a sweet potato plant in aquarium which can be half submerged in water. It won’t be a stress to clean dead leaves in this case as it could be removed easily from sweet potato plant & the roots will absorb lots of nitrates to keep aquarium water clean & sweet potato plant can offer shelter to fish & provide hiding places for fish fry so that they can avoid adult fish.


How to grow sweet potato in aquarium
How to grow sweet potato in aquarium


I choose sweet potato plant because this plant can make a healthy root system very quickly which can help in water filtration & can offer hiding spots to the inhabitants. If sweet potato stem is submerged in water, then it will grow roots which can help in the filtration. This plant is suitable for beginners & it does not need too much light & it can survive for long.

I purchased sweet potato for this project from market. Instead of adding sweet potato to the aquarium directly, I allowed sweet potato to grow in a plastic cup. After 1 week, sweet potato develops roots & leaves, & one month later I choose to add it to the fish tank. A little container is made for holding sweet potato plant & I attach the container to fish tank glass using a suction cup. You don’t need to use any special equipment & you can simply make it at home.

The plants in aquarium can offer a better source of filtration but it is hard to manage them. However, sweet potato plant does not need that much maintenance & it can help you in nitrates filtration. You will not require adding carbon dioxide or fertilizer to this plant as it can absorb carbon dioxide from the air & the byproducts of ammonia can help as a fertilizer.

Nitrates will be consumed by sweet potato & if you do not know about it then it is a toxic byproduct of nitrogen cycle. Learn more about nitrogen cycle.


Steps: How to grow sweet potato plant inside aquarium:

In this video I will show you how to grow sweet potato plant inside aquarium & you can make a container to hold the sweet potato by attaching it to the aquarium glass.


How to grow sweet potato in fish tank

Step 1: Buy sweet potato from supermarket: 


Buy gold sweet potatoes from supermarket
Buy gold sweet potatoes from supermarket


On day one of DIY sweet potato project, I bought some sweet potatoes from supermarket. Then I half-fill disposable cup with tap water & I add a sweet potato in the disposable cup. I am not adding sweet potato directly to the fish tank because I have been busy so I will leave sweet potato in the disposable cup for a month so that it grows roots & leaves, & when sweet potato becomes more stable then I will add it to the aquarium.


Step 2: Add sweet potato in disposable cup & half fill it with water:


Sweet potato after 1 & a half week
Sweet potato after 1 & a half week


On day one when I half-fill the cup with water, I add a sweet potato & place it next to the window so that it can get some sun light which speeds up its growing process. After one & a half week, the sweet potato begins to grow roots & leaves. I change the water in the cup with tank water & also I add fish food to the cup which can offer nutrient for sweet potato to grow. If you want to avoid this step, then you can because there is a lot of nutrient inside the sweet potato that can help in growing of the plant.  


Step 3: Sweet potato will grow quickly & you will see progress very soon:


Sweet potato after 2 & a half week
Sweet potato after 2 & a half week


After two & a half week there is a big progress in the growing of the plant because it has grown more roots & it has more leaves & the leaves have grown bigger. The sweet potato is getting stable but I will wait for more days before I can add it to the aquarium & the reason behind is I want to see more progress.


Step 4: Add sweet potato to aquarium but first make a container for holding it:


Sweet potato after 1 month
Sweet potato after 1 month


After a month you can see in the picture that sweet potato has very beautiful leaves & it has grown very well so I think it would be the perfect time to add it to the fish tank but I do not want to add it directly to the aquarium & instead I want to make a container for the sweet potato which will let 60 percent of the potato to sit in the water & some part will be out of the water surface.


Step 5: Use bottle lid for building container to hold sweet potato inside aquarium:


Bottle lid & suction cup that will be used for holding sweet potato
Bottle lid & suction cup that will be used for holding sweet potato


I decide to make a container for the plant using a normal bottle lid & for attaching the container to the tank glass I am using a suction cup. I cut a hole in the lid & I decide to push the sweet potato through the hole. 60 to 65 percent of the sweet potato will sit in the water & remaining part will be outside. The part inside water will develop roots & the part outside can grow leaves.


Step 6: Cut a hole in the lid & push the sweet potato through the hole:


Cut a hole in the lid & Styrofoam
Cut a hole in the lid & Styrofoam


I use scissor & knife to cut a hole in the lid. A sharp blade allows me to make a clean cut. The hole in the lid has sharp edges so I think may be over time it might hurt the sweet potato so I chose to cut Styrofoam & add it inside that would hold the sweet potato. Be prepare to clean the mess when you cut the Styrofoam. Also you need to use a suction cup to attach the container to the aquarium glass.


Step 7: Finally add sweet potato to the aquarium:


Attach suction cup to the lid
Attach suction cup to the lid


Attaching the suction cup to the container is simple because I have to make a hole in the lid by heating a nail & use the hot end of the nail to pierce a hole in the lid. Then I attach the suction cup to the lid. I insert the Styrofoam inside the lid & push the sweet potato through the hole. I attach the lid to the aquarium glass & about 60 percent of the sweet potato is inside water & it starts growing roots.


Conclusion:


Sweet potato plant pictures
Sweet potato plant pictures


After adding sweet potato plant to the aquarium, I have taken multiple snapshots from time to time to see how it grows. I have added few snapshots of sweet potato plant growing in my aquarium. You can check out those pictures above & ask any question or don't forget to leave your feedback in the comment section of this post below.
How To Grow Sweet Potato In Fish Tank How To Grow Sweet Potato In Fish Tank Reviewed by Fishaholic on September 18, 2019 Rating: 5

How To Clean Sponge Filter In Fish Tank

September 01, 2019

How To Clean Sponge Filter In Aquarium:

It is very important to know how to clean a sponge filter & how often you need to clean it. Sponge filters are very good when it comes to cleaning & you can use them in fry tanks & in aquariums that are too dirty. Maintenance of such filter is very simple as long as you follow the tips that have been discussed in this tutorial.


How to clean sponge filter in aquarium
How to clean sponge filter in aquarium


I have introduced my cat Kitty to you & my dog too in the video. I have also discussed how I use this dirty water to water my plants because dirty water can act as fertilizer for them. All the fish waste & leftover food are the fertilizers my plants need. I have too many guppies in my aquarium but most of them are babies. Sponge filters can be used in fry tank because they can suck fish food & fry can eat the leftover food attached to sponge. I have used a double sponge filter in my aquarium.


Steps: How to clean sponge filter:

In this video I will show you how to clean sponge filter. You can read all the steps explained in this article but it is very important to watch video as well as I have covered the complete procedure of cleaning a sponge filter.


How to clean sponge filter in my fish tank


Step 1: Fill bucket with aquarium water:



 Step 1: Fill bucket with aquarium water


The best time to clean the filter is during or after changing water. When you remove the sponge filter, the aquarium water might become bit cloudy but don’t worry about it. It will be clear within an hour or 2. Use a clean bucket & fill it up with aquarium water & do not use tap water in this bucket. Tap water contains chlorine which can destroy good bacteria so avoid using them & take water from aquarium & squeeze sponge in it. Keep separate accessories for aquarium & do not use them for other purposes as they may contain some chemicals which can be toxic to fish.


Step 2: Clean sponge by squeezing it in bucket water:



 Step 2: Clean sponge by squeezing it in bucket water


Clean the sponge by squeezing it till it stops releasing that yucky water. It takes around 30 – 45 seconds when I clean sponge but that time can vary based on the size of the sponge & how dirty it is after sucking fish waste & food. If sponge filter is very dirty then you can use 2 buckets of water. Squeeze sponge in first bucket & when it makes water very dirty then use another bucket & begin squeezing it in this second bucket as well. After sponge is clean put it back as quickly as possible & turn on the filter. Clean sponge filter every 2-3 weeks, & I clean 1 sponge at a time only so that aquarium do not loose significant amount of good bacteria.


Tips for cleaning sponge filter:

  • Turn off the power to Air pump.
  • Only clean 1 filter at a time if it is a double sponge filter.
  • Do not squeeze the sponge for too long & spend around 30 – 45 seconds while cleaning the sponge filter. This time may vary based on how dirty the sponge is & also time may vary based on the size of the sponge.
  • Use 2 buckets if the sponge filter is very dirty.


My Naughty Cat:

In the above video you can watch Kitty. She is very curious & sometimes she is annoying too because she keeps getting in my way.  


My Cat "Kitty"

 My Cat "Kitty"


My Pet Dog:

You can hear my dog’s voice in the background of the video tutorial. She is a Siberian husky with blue eyes & she is a medium size dog breed. My dog is responding to the instructions I give her that you can watch in the video.


My Pet Dog

 My Pet Dog
How To Clean Sponge Filter In Fish Tank How To Clean Sponge Filter In Fish Tank Reviewed by Fishaholic on September 01, 2019 Rating: 5

What are Different Types Of Aquatic Plants

August 29, 2019

What are the different types of aquatic plants?

Aquatic plants are categorized into four different types based on their habitat & tolerance to water such as some plants lives under water through out their entire life while others stay on top of water surface with their roots only submerged in water. In this article we will discuss in detail the four categories of aquatic plants with some examples.


Types of aquatic plants
Types of aquatic plants


1. Emergent Aquatic Plants
2. Submerged Aquatic Plants
3. Floating Leaved Aquatic Plants
4. Free Floating Aquatic Plants


1. Emergent Aquatic Plant:


Emergent Aquatic Plant: Flowering Rush
Emergent Aquatic Plant: Flowering Rush


Emergent plant can grow in water but their upper part needs to be kept outside water. Emergent plant leaves can photosynthesize efficiently when they are kept outside water. People keep this plant in aquarium because they are able to grow in more water. Examples of emergent plants include The reed, Cyperus papyrus, flowering rush & wild rice.


2. Submerged Aquatic Plant:


Submerged Aquatic Plant: Myriophyllum Spicatum
Submerged Aquatic Plant: Myriophyllum Spicatum


This plant can grow when fully submerged in water. It is a rooted plant with flaccid or limp stems & majority of the vegetable mass is submerged in water, although some parts of this plant may be outside water level. Examples of submerged aquatic plants include Myriophyllum spicatum & Ceratophyllum demersum.


3. Floating Leaved Aquatic Plant:


Floating Leaved Aquatic Plant: Water Lily
Floating Leaved Aquatic Plant: Water Lily


Such plant is floating on the water surface. Floating leaved aquatic plant has its root attached to the substrate or bottom of water body with leaves that float on the surface of water. Water lily & pondweed are common floating leaves plant.


4. Free Floating Aquatic Plant:


Free Floating Aquatic Plant: Water Cabbage
Free Floating Aquatic Plant: Water Cabbage


Free floating is an aquarium plant that is suspended on the surface of water with its root not attached to water substrate or sediment or bottom of the body of water. Such plants have low requirements & they are pretty easy to grow in aquarium. Examples of free floating aquatic plants include water cabbage & water lettuce.
What are Different Types Of Aquatic Plants What are Different Types Of Aquatic Plants Reviewed by Fishaholic on August 29, 2019 Rating: 5

Internal Filter v External Filter

August 27, 2019

Internal Filter versus External Filter:

Internal filters are very common because they are powered by a water pump & have a box which contain a sponge. Internal filter sits within the fish tank. The water is sucked in & it passes through the sponge which removes debris & also the sponge holds good bacteria which helps in biological filtration. 


Internal filter versus external filter
Internal filter versus external filter


External filter is installed outside fish tank. Water is sucked out of the aquarium, where debris is removed & then it is pumped back to aquarium. External filters hold more media than internal filters, so they do not require high maintenance.


Pros & Cons of Internal Filter:


Pros & cons of internal filter
Pros & cons of internal filter


Internal filters are smaller & best for smaller aquariums. The running cost of internal filter is low. Also they are inexpensive. They can remove dirt very well & sponge filters are very helpful in fry tank because fry can eat leftover food attached to sponge. Internal filters produce lots of clutter in the aquarium. Sometimes you will have to replace the whole media, causing a new cycle. Internal filters can be slightly fiddly when maintaining.


Pros and Cons of External Filter:


Pros & cons of internal filter
Pros & cons of external filter


External filters require low maintenance because they are located outside aquarium & also they contain more media which do not require that much cleaning. There is a large variety of media available in external filters. Filters take up space & do not look beautiful in aquarium so external filters are located outside aquarium. External filters are more expensive than internal filters because they are more sophisticated. External filters are usually big. Media / sponges of external filters are expensive.
Internal Filter v External Filter Internal Filter v External Filter Reviewed by Fishaholic on August 27, 2019 Rating: 5

Top 10 Non Aquatic Plants to Avoid in Aquarium

August 25, 2019

Top 10 Non Aquatic Plants To Avoid In Fish Tank:

Most of the aquarium & pet stores often sell non aquatic plants due to their high turnover. These plants will only stay alive for a short period of time in the aquarium & they will need to be replaced. After planting non aquatic plants, they will initially shoot new stems & grow new but the plant will eventually die after a few weeks or a month. You would be lucky to have them alive after couple of months of planting them in the fish tank. The reason is that these plants cannot tolerate too much water. In this article i will discuss the top 10 non aquatic plants that you must avoid planting in your fish tank.




1. Japanese Rush:


Japanese Rush Plant
Japanese Rush Plant


Japanese Rush is able to endure in tank for up to a year but this plant needs to be kept at cooler temperatures. It will not survive in warm temperatures for long.


2. Caladium:


Caladium Plant
Caladium Plant


Caladium can endure in tank for up to six weeks but it is recommended to keep its leaves out of water. This plant is usually sold in pots.


3. Peace Lily:


Peace Lily Plant
Peace Lily Plant


Peace Lily can survive in aquarium for even up to years. It grows slowly when submerged, & can grow with little effort & in low lighting. However, it is not a true aquatic plant.


4. Aluminum Plant:


Aluminum Plant
Aluminum Plant


Aluminum Plant can survive in tank for a few weeks, but will finally die. This plant is not recommended to use in aquarium due to its short life span in aquatic environment.  


5. Spider Plant:


Spider Plant
Spider Plant


Spider Plant is a potted plant. If this plant is submerged in water, then it will decay quickly. This plant is not recommended for aquarium.


6. Lucky Bamboo:


Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo


Lucky Bamboo is able to survive for long periods if its leaves are kept outside aquarium water. If it is submerged fully in aquarium, its life span drops to only 8 weeks.


7. Purple Waffle Plant:


Purple Waffle Plant
Purple Waffle Plant


Purple Waffle Plant needs more light but is able to endure in aquarium for up to one year. It will deteriorate slowly.


8. Iresine lindenii:


Iresine lindenii Plant
Iresine lindenii Plant


Iresine lindenii is a lovely plant but not suitable for fish tank. It is available as a potted plant. Despite being attractive, this plant cannot tolerate too much water.


9. Arrowhead Plant:


Arrowhead Plant
Arrowhead Plant


Arrowhead Plant will die if you submerge it in water. It can survive when its roots are submerged while plant is kept outside aquarium.


10. Mondo Grass:


Mondo Grass



Mondo grass is not suitable for aquarium. If it is submerged, then it can endure for a while but will not grow. It should be taken out after a couple of months.
Top 10 Non Aquatic Plants to Avoid in Aquarium Top 10 Non Aquatic Plants to Avoid in Aquarium Reviewed by Fishaholic on August 25, 2019 Rating: 5

Top 5 True Aquatic Plants in Aquarium

August 23, 2019

Top 5 True Aquatic Plants In Aquarium:

It is very easy to add some lush greenery to the aquarium by adding some easy to maintain true aquatic plants. These plants will also keep the ammonia level low in the tank & will provide hiding places to the stressed fish or the fry. A good way to determine if a plant is true aquatic is by removing it from the water & observing the leaves. If they fall over then the plant is a true aquatic plant. In this article I will discuss the top 5 easy to keep & most popular true aquatic plants that doesn't require any CO2 installation, fertilizers & extra ligting in the tank. 


Top 5 true aquatic plants
Top 5 true aquatic plants

  1. Java Moss
  2. Amazon Sword
  3. Java Fern
  4. Anarcharis
  5. Anubias


1. Java Moss:


Java Moss
Java Moss


Java Moss is used in fish tank for various reasons, & it is a tough plant which can endure a wide range of temperatures. Java moss can offer hiding region for baby fish but it can be used to enhance the beauty of your aquarium. This plant can spread on rock or any other structure. It does not need high lighting & water condition does not have a big effect on them.


2. Amazon Sword:


Amazon Sword
Amazon Sword


Amazon Sword can reach enormous size in low lighting aquarium. It is recommended for bigger aquarium. Amazon Sword is a root feeder & need extra root fertilizers. Root tabs are sufficient for them. Amazon Sword is a giant plant & can reach about 60 cm. Aquarium inhabitants love the long leaves because they can provide cover.


3. Java Fern:


Java Fern
Java Fern


It can survive in various conditions. Its leaves are hard & even big plant eaters like gold fish will leave this plant alone. It can even grow in low light. If it is tied to something like driftwood or rock, then it can grow well. They are available in different varieties & their growth pattern & leaf shape varies. A beginner will be able to grow Java Fern but its requirements need to be met.


4. Anacharis:


Anacharis
Anacharis


Anacharis grows too quickly. It can be left floating in aquarium but it can also grow very well when planted. Anacharis seems great in a planted fish tank & can help fight with algae with its fast growth. Anacharis can be used as a source of food & can offer shelter. This plant is recommended for novice due to its hardness, & low maintenance.


5. Anubias:


Anubias
Anubias


Anubias likes to live in aquarium with low lighting. Fish that like eating plants do not hurt anubias which makes it a best choice to many types of fish tanks. It can grow well when it is attached to rock or driftwood. It has broad leaves which can provide shelter for fish & allow fry to hide. This plant will love trimming which will allow you to cut some leaves to keep it looking nice.
Top 5 True Aquatic Plants in Aquarium Top 5 True Aquatic Plants in Aquarium Reviewed by Fishaholic on August 23, 2019 Rating: 5
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