Pothos In Aquarium – The Ultimate Nitrate-Busting
Ever feel like you’re in a constant, losing battle with nitrates and algae in your tank? You do your water changes, you don’t overfeed, but somehow, that stubborn green fuzz and those rising nitrate levels just keep creeping back. It’s a frustration every aquarist knows well.
What if I told you a common, beautiful houseplant—one you might even have sitting on a windowsill right now—could be your secret weapon for a cleaner, healthier, and more stable aquarium? It’s true. This simple, elegant plant is one of the best-kept secrets in the hobby for creating a thriving, low-maintenance ecosystem.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using pothos in aquarium setups. We’ll explore the incredible benefits, a step-by-step setup process, creative placement ideas, and even how to troubleshoot common issues. Get ready to unlock a new level of natural filtration and beauty for your tank!
Why Pothos? The Unsung Hero of Aquarium Filtration
So, what makes this ordinary houseplant so special for our aquariums? The magic lies in how it grows. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is not a true aquatic plant; it’s a terrestrial vine that absolutely loves having its roots in nutrient-rich water. This is called “emersed” growth—roots in the water, leaves in the air.
This simple fact is what makes it a powerhouse for your tank. While fully submerged plants have to compete with algae for nutrients and CO2 in the water, pothos has a major advantage: it gets unlimited CO2 from the air. This allows it to grow incredibly fast, and to fuel that growth, it pulls massive amounts of waste compounds directly from your aquarium water.
Here are the primary benefits of pothos in aquarium setups:
- A Nitrate-Sucking Machine: This is the number one reason aquarists love pothos. Fish waste, leftover food, and decaying plant matter all produce ammonia, which beneficial bacteria convert to nitrites, and then to nitrates. While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrates still stress fish and fuel algae. Pothos devours nitrates as a primary food source, acting as a powerful, self-sustaining filtration supplement.
- Natural Algae Control: Algae needs two main things to thrive: light and nutrients (like nitrates). By outcompeting algae for those nutrients, pothos effectively starves it out. Many aquarists report a significant reduction in algae problems after adding pothos.
- Provides Shelter and Enrichment: The long, dangling roots create a fantastic, jungle-like environment inside your tank. Fish like bettas love to rest on the root bundles, and shy fish, shrimp, and fry will use the dense network as a safe hiding place.
- Aesthetic Beauty: Let’s be honest—it looks amazing! A lush green vine trailing from your aquarium and cascading down your stand adds a beautiful, naturalistic touch that connects your aquatic world to the room around it.
- Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Using a plant to manage water quality is a perfect example of a sustainable pothos in aquarium approach. It reduces your reliance on chemical additives and can even help you extend the time between water changes, saving water in the long run. It’s a truly eco-friendly pothos in aquarium solution.
Getting Started: Your Step-by-Step Pothos in Aquarium Guide
Ready to add this green machine to your tank? It’s incredibly simple. Following this straightforward pothos in aquarium guide will ensure your plant thrives and your fish stay safe.
Step 1: Select the Right Pothos Plant
You can start with a full, potted pothos plant or simply get a few cuttings from an existing one (maybe from a friend!). Golden Pothos, Marble Queen Pothos, and Neon Pothos are all excellent choices.
The most important thing is to source a healthy plant. Look for vibrant, firm leaves and avoid any with yellowing, brown spots, or signs of pests. If you buy a plant from a nursery, it may have been treated with pesticides that are harmful to aquarium inhabitants, especially invertebrates like shrimp and snails. This is why the next step is crucial.
Step 2: Prepare Your Pothos for its New Home
You can’t just take a plant from a pot of soil and drop it in your tank. You need to prepare it properly. This is the most important part of how to pothos in aquarium setups.
- Remove the Plant from the Pot: Gently take the plant out of its pot and carefully break away as much soil as you can with your hands.
- Wash the Roots Thoroughly: This is the critical part. Under gentle, lukewarm running water, wash all of the remaining soil from the roots. Be patient and meticulous. Any remaining soil can cloud your water and rot.
- Inspect and Trim: Once clean, inspect the roots. Trim off any that are black, mushy, or look damaged. Healthy roots are typically white or light tan and firm. You can also trim the roots to your desired length.
- (Optional but Recommended) Quarantine Rinse: To be extra safe, you can let the bare-root plant sit in a bucket of clean, dechlorinated water for a few days. Change the water daily. This helps leach out any potential pesticides or fertilizers from the roots before it goes into your tank.
Step 3: The Golden Rule: Roots In, Leaves Out!
This is the most important rule to remember: Pothos is NOT a fully aquatic plant. Only the roots and maybe a small portion of the stem should be submerged. If you submerge the leaves, they will rot, decay, and foul your aquarium water, which is the exact opposite of what we want.
Make sure all leaves are comfortably in the air, where they can breathe. Don’t worry—the plant will know exactly what to do!
Creative & Secure Ways to Position Your Pothos
Now for the fun part! How do you actually place the pothos in your aquarium? You have several great options, ranging from simple and functional to stylish and deliberate. Here are a few of our favorite pothos in aquarium tips for placement.
The Hang-on-Back (HOB) Filter Method
This is by far the easiest and most popular method. Simply lift the lid of your HOB filter and place the clean pothos roots directly into the filter box, letting them dangle in the nutrient-rich water flowing through it. The plant will be secure, hidden, and perfectly positioned to absorb waste. The leaves and vine can then trail out from the filter.
Suction Cup Planters & Holders
For a more intentional look, you can buy suction cup planters designed specifically for this purpose. These small plastic cups or rings stick to the inside glass of your aquarium, allowing you to place the pothos roots exactly where you want them. This is a great option for rimless tanks or setups without a HOB filter.
DIY Solutions for the Creative Aquarist
Feeling crafty? You can easily make your own pothos holder. A small plastic shower caddy hung on the back of the tank works wonders. Some people even use airline tubing holders or craft mesh to create custom pockets for their plant cuttings. This is a fantastic way to implement pothos in aquarium best practices on a budget.
Pothos in Aquarium Care Guide for Long-Term Success
The best part about pothos is that it’s incredibly low-maintenance. Once it’s set up, it practically takes care of itself. However, a little bit of attention will ensure it grows strong and healthy for years to come.
Lighting Needs
You don’t need special lighting for the pothos leaves. The ambient light in the room, combined with the light from your aquarium fixture, is usually more than enough. Pothos is famous for thriving in a wide range of lighting conditions, from low to bright indirect light.
Fertilization: To Dose or Not to Dose?
In 99% of cases, you will not need to fertilize your pothos. Your aquarium is a fertilizer factory! The fish waste provides all the nitrogen, phosphorus, and other trace elements the plant could ever want. Adding more fertilizer to the water is unnecessary and could contribute to algae issues.
Pruning and Maintenance
Your pothos will grow, and sometimes it will grow a lot! To keep it looking its best, you’ll want to do some occasional pruning.
If you see an old leaf turning yellow, simply snip it off at the base of its stem. This is normal and allows the plant to direct energy to new growth.
To encourage a fuller, bushier plant, you can trim the main vine. Wherever you cut it, the vine will often split into two new growth points. And the best part? You can stick that new cutting right back in your tank to grow another plant!
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Pothos in Aquarium Setups
Even with a plant as hardy as pothos, you might run into an issue or two. Don’t worry! Here’s how to solve the most common problems with pothos in aquarium setups.
Why Are My Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow?
A single yellow leaf now and then is perfectly normal—it’s just the plant shedding an old leaf. If you see multiple leaves turning yellow at once, it could be due to a few things:
- Acclimation Shock: The plant may be adjusting to its new environment. Give it a week or two to settle in.
- Nutrient Imbalance: In a very clean, lightly stocked tank, it’s possible (though rare) for the plant to use up all the nitrates. If your nitrates are testing at 0 ppm and leaves are yellowing, this could be the cause.
- Too Much Light: Direct, intense sunlight can scorch pothos leaves. Ensure it’s getting indirect light.
Help, My Pothos Roots Are Rotting!
Root rot is usually caused by a lack of oxygen. This can happen if the roots are buried in a stagnant substrate or if the base of the stem (where the leaves begin) is submerged. Ensure the roots are dangling freely in the water column or in the high-flow area of a filter. Trim away any black, mushy roots to encourage new, healthy growth.
Is Pothos Toxic to My Fish or Invertebrates?
This is a very common concern. Pothos plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic if eaten by cats, dogs, or humans. However, this is a non-issue in an aquarium for two key reasons:
- The toxic part (the leaves) are outside of the tank. Your fish can’t get to them.
- Aquatic creatures have no interest in eating the roots. In fact, many hobbyists, including myself, have kept pothos for years in tanks with sensitive shrimp and snails with zero issues. It is widely considered completely safe for all common aquarium inhabitants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pothos in Aquariums
Can I fully submerge pothos in my aquarium?
No, you should never fully submerge a pothos plant. Only the roots should be in the water. The leaves need access to air and will quickly rot and decay if left underwater, which can pollute your tank.
How long does it take for pothos to grow roots in water?
If you start with a fresh cutting that has no roots, you can expect to see new white roots begin to sprout within 2 to 4 weeks. The process is usually faster in a warm, nutrient-rich aquarium environment.
Will pothos harm my snails or shrimp?
No, pothos is perfectly safe for invertebrates like snails and shrimp. The roots provide an excellent surface for biofilm to grow on, which is a natural food source for shrimp. It is a fantastic and safe addition to any shrimp tank.
Do I need to use fertilizer for my aquarium pothos?
Typically, no. Your aquarium’s water, rich with fish waste (nitrates), acts as a perfect liquid fertilizer for the pothos roots. Only in extremely clean, very lightly stocked tanks might you ever need to consider it, but it’s highly unlikely.
Your Aquarium’s New Best Friend
Adding a pothos in aquarium is one of the easiest, cheapest, and most effective “upgrades” you can make. It’s a beautiful, functional, and forgiving plant that works tirelessly to create a more stable and healthy environment for your fish.
By absorbing excess nitrates, fighting off algae, and providing natural cover, pothos truly earns its place as an aquarist’s best friend. It bridges the gap between your indoor garden and your underwater world in the most beautiful way.
So go ahead, grab a cutting, give it a good rinse, and find a nice spot for it on your tank. You’ll be amazed at how this simple green vine can transform your aquarium experience. Happy fishkeeping!
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