Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hey plant enthusiasts,

I'm looking for some input on utilizing pothos in aquariums to lower nitrate levels - what are your thoughts? I've come across mixed reviews, some people swear by it, others not so much.

Pothos typically go in hang-on-back filters, not submerged in the tank itself. They can't survive underwater and are toxic to many common household pets, like dogs and cats.

luminx wrote: ↑Tue May 09, 2023 2:22 am Pothos typically go in hang-on-back filters, not submerged in the tank itself. They can't survive underwater and are toxic to many common household pets, like dogs and cats.

I'm aware the roots need to be in the water. No pets to worry about here, just my fish.

I'm fairly confident having the roots submerged won't harm my fish.

I've had a pothos in my HOB for about a month, then I decided to move it into the tank. That was four years ago and it's still thriving, getting bigger all the time.

I want to preface this by saying my thoughts are based on personal experience and not hard science.

In my opinion, if a plant is toxic to animals or humans, it's likely to pose some level of risk to fish as well. With the roots submerged in water, there's a possibility of fish ingesting them or the roots releasing substances. I'm not comfortable taking that risk. I recall reading that Philodendron should be avoided in this setup due to the potential for poisoning fish over time. This is definitely not something I'd recommend or do myself.