I really want to use some terrestrial plant roots as supplementary filtration, and have philidendron and monsteria cuttings ready to go ... but want to know if any one has this sort of thing up and running before I take the plunge - any suggestions?

I dont see why not...I use Red Mangroves in some of my saltwater tanks to basically do the same thing that you are describing...

I think what is stalling me is the fact that I went to nursery to look for some, and when I told the plant dude what I wanted them for he said he didn't think it was a very sensible idea 'cause they may leak chemicals into the water. I know a lot of plants do use chemicals as defence, or as a way of disolving nutrients, so I became a little paranoid.

I dont know too much about the fresh water aspect of this and the plants your considering...but from the saltwater side I do know there are a number of plants that will wage "chemical warfare" as a method of ensuring they continue to have space to expand in. They arent really taxic chemicals just "Growth Inhibiting". I am sure that fresh water plants might do the same to one extent or another. If your considering tropical house plants then I dont have a clue what the consequenses would be if any.

I think it sounds like a good idea. I have seen bog filters for ponds. Basically the same idea, just outside. Philodendron is a good choice as it doesn't need a whole lot of light and doesn't mind having its roots in water constantly. I have seen philodendron used in paludariums (half aquarium, half terrarium) with the plant trailing a bit into the water. Some people submerse it in the water, but it really needs it's leaves up in the air and will die eventually when completely underwater.

I don't know what monsteria is so I don't know if it's fish safe or not.

You could also try some aquarium plants that have an emersed leaf form like swords and crypts. They look different when grown with just their roots in the water. Sometimes you will get these plants (esp swords) from suppliers with their emersed leaves on them. When you bring them home and submerse them, they will drop those leaves and start growing their submersed leaves.

Well, I have an old external Dynaflow filter, so I have shuffled around the media in that, and 'potted' a phili in filter wool in the top half of the media resevior - with the lid off, of course. I had been growing the cutting in a jar, so it already has a root system.
We'll see how it goes, and I will let you know!

Hi.

I'm wondering if he said this b/c they fertilize their plants?? I know when i use plants for frog tanks, i have to keep them outside of the tank for like 2 months to ensure all of the fertilizers are used up and out of the plant before i plant it in my frog tanks.

You have to re-pot it in plain potting soil with no soil conditioners, no fertilizers, nothing added to it. Then you wait a month or two(i usually wait 2-3 to be safe)to ensure that the plant has used up the fertilizer the nursery gave it and b/c you haven't given it any since you got it, it shouldn't leach any out into the water of your tanks.

The fertilizers they use on their plants, i imagine, will be toxic to fish...i know they are to frogs. Totally different than the aquarium plant fertilizers you use in your tanks.

So if i were you, to be safe, try to get cuttings from ppl you know, use plants in your house that you know haven't been fertilized or do what i do with plants for my frog tanks and allow the plant to use up the fertilizer is has absorbed and don't give it any more.

Hope this helps some! :)

I've hade Philo's sticking out of my tank now for about 3 months, the fish like to swim through the roots and I see the Pleco munching on the stems with no aparent bad effects. I just stuck some clippings into the tank, threw some gravel over the stems to keep them down and let them go. I did have some browning of new leaves until they developed roots but they are so hardy that it didn't really bother them too much.

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