what kinds of plants can i put in my reef tank to lower nitrates and phosphates?

Answer 1

I would agree with the caulerpa and needing to prune it - if you don't, it will take over your tank. Some states may not allow all types of caulerpa because of it having been found in coastal waters where it's not native, but is competing with native plants. Another choice is Chaetomorpha, which is a good phosphate absorber.

If you don't want to put the algae into your tank, if you can find an old AquaClear filter and a decent light, you can make a mini algae scrubber/refugium yourself that hangs on the tank and your water circulates through it: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hagenrefugart.htm

Even these plus water changes may not be enough if your source water contains nitrate and/or phosphate. You can use reverse osmosis water (available at Target and Super WalMart stores) which has neither, or get a phosphate removal pad you can cut to fit your filter.

Answer 2

Personally i dont like using plants for that issue. The best thing you can do is use an RO/DI tap water filter it will remove all impurities from the water befor it enters your tank. Just take into consideration that RO/DI water has all the trace elements you want in the tank removed so you will have to add them back in such as calcium, strontium, and malybdenum, for some examples.

Answer 3

if you do choose to use plants to help with your nitrates, which isn't really the best way to do so, i would suggest sopmething fast growing like caluerpas. you need to prune them back so they can make more growth, it's the growth that uses up nitrates, not just normal function.