Although the ivy is actually a land plant that is grown as a houseplant, it can also be cultivated in the aquarium. Many aquarists use the plant to improve the water quality in freshwater aquariums, because the ivy filters the water and removes phosphates and nitrates.
Can a ivy plant be used in an aquarium?
Ivy plants can help improve water quality in the aquarium by filtering phosphates and nitrates. Cuttings of the plant can be rooted in water or placed in pots with expanded clay or lava rock above the water surface.
Ivy ensures better water quality in the aquarium
Ivy plants do not provide a decorative eye-catcher in the aquarium. The plants, especially the roots, purify the water. They remove phosphates and nitrates from it in a completely natural way. This reduces algae formation and means you have less work to clean the pool. Ivy creates he althier water conditions for the aquarium inhabitants.
Do not plant ivy plants
To improve water quality with ivy plants, simply place a few cut branches in the water or hang them in the aquarium so that the lower part reaches into the water. Within a short time, roots form at the lower ends and the ivy plant grows. The waste from the aquarium inhabitants, which acts like fertilizer, also contributes to this.
Most aquarists prefer cuttings that they let root in a glass of water. The branches are then placed in the water so that only the lower stems with the roots are covered by water.
Growing money plant in the pot in the aquarium
If you want to limit the spread of the ivy in the aquarium, you can also put it in the tank in a pot. To do this, use containers in which you poke several small holes.
Plant the ivy in pots (€9.00 on Amazon) that you fill with expanded clay or lava rock. Hang the containers above the water surface in the aquarium so that only the lower part of the pot is in the water. The cleaning effect of the water comes from the roots that are in the water.
Never use ivy plants that you have planted in real soil. They sink into the water.
Care for ivy in the aquarium
The ivy plant in the aquarium does not require much care. Essentially, it is another form of hydroponics. You can simply leave the shoots of the ivy plant to their own devices and let them spread.
However, you should shorten them occasionally so that the ivy plants do not overgrow the entire aquarium.
Ivy plant gets yellow leaves under water
The yellow leaves are almost always those that were already on the shoot when they were placed in the aquarium. Just cut them off.
Leaves newly sprouted under water in most cases retain their strong, he althy color.
Tip
Ivy plants are plants native to the tropics. They can cope with almost any environmental condition. The unfortunately poisonous houseplant becomes particularly strong if you water it with water from the aquarium.
