I swear that I have read this information somewhere before, but for the life of me, I haven't been able to conduct a productive web search so as to locate that information again. Does anyone either remember a link or have some personal information about recycling aquarium water for plants? If I am remembering correctly, the low levels of NH4 in the aquarium water provide plants with a easy routine liquid fertilizer, and besides...if I can use the water for something beneficial, why would I want to waste it, by flushing it down the toilet?
2007-05-02 18:05:55 · 10 answers · asked by Fozzie-J 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Most definitely! Using the water from your fish tank does benefit plant life. Nitrifiying bacteria in the tanks bio filtration turns fish waste ( ammonia and nitrites ) into nitrates that will nourish house plants. Sure... at low levels but its better than no levels.
Note: If you use more than a 5% conditioning salt ratio, I would not use for plants. Seedlings should be watered with regular water (not from fish tank) until at least 4" tall or you might get curling foliage from a nitrate overdose. They're just babies!
2007-05-02 18:46:18 · answer #1 · answered by computerjerk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always done this with my houseplants from tanks without salt in them - since there's nitrates in the water, it's a natural fertilizer and my plants are in almost constant bloom.
Be careful if you use a regular salt treatment or copper-based medication in the tank. It would be better to skip using tank water until these are flushed from the tank with regular water changes.
Website with aquarium water and other household items used for watering houseplants: http://www.plantea.com/house-plant-fishtank.htm
2007-05-02 18:45:57 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about any websites, but I always pour mine on the lawn.
It doesn't seem any better fertilized, but it doesn't hurt either.
A word of caution.
Snails produce invisible eggs. If your yard/plants runs off into the gutter then out to a river, lake or the sea, without treatment, make sure you don't accidental introduce a non-native species (the snails, or any plant bits) into your local ecosystem. The results can be devastating.
2007-05-02 18:16:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know of a link or website but I have used fish water from water changes to water my plants for years. They are freaking huge and very healthy.
2007-05-02 18:37:47 · answer #4 · answered by my3mohrkids 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's good to use old tank water for watering houseplants if there is no salt in it.Fish waste is good fertilizer,salt hurts plants.The nitrates fertilize the plants.Even burying dead fish in the soil can be good fertilizer.
2007-05-02 20:15:09 · answer #5 · answered by DAGIM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Def yes!!! I live in Australia and we are in a drought. I use water from my water tank (5,000L) in water changes, then the water from the tank on my plants. If it's high in nitrate it might burn them, but as my waters lovely it keeps my plants green.
Two plants at work only get water from a 21L tank I have on my desk. They thrive.
2007-05-02 19:54:51 · answer #6 · answered by The Fish Chick 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It works very well...In my high school horticulture class my friend and I did a project about using fish water for plants. The ones that had the fish water grew a hell of a lot faster, fuller, and more colorful!
2016-05-19 04:13:22 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also don't have a website for you, but I can tell you that I have done it off and on for years. Like you say, waste not want not.
MM
2007-05-02 18:27:20 · answer #8 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/houseplants/113078
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art23747.asp
http://www.plantea.com/house-plant-fishtank.htm
yeppers... fish water is great for plants... that's why algae grows so well in our tanks.
2007-05-02 19:40:21 · answer #9 · answered by Celena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats a great idea.
2007-05-02 19:31:35 · answer #10 · answered by philly28 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋