Growing plants in containers

[starboy]

I've come across a few setups where plants are grown in pots within a tank, rather than planted directly into the substrate.

What types of pots or containers would work well in this scenario, though? Are there specific materials or designs that are better suited for aquarium use?

Some plants seem like they'd adapt to this setup more easily than others - are there certain species that would thrive in pots, or ones that would be better off in the substrate?

[boomer]

Growing aquarium plants in pots rather than the substrate has its pros and cons. Knowing your background, fluxx, might be helpful - are you considering pots for a specific reason?

Clay pots seem to be a suitable option, though I'm not aware of other types that might work just as well. Plants with larger root systems will require very wide pots to accommodate them. Echinodorus, for instance, have extensive root systems that can spread over a foot in all directions from the crown. Cryptocoryne can also develop quite a network of roots. The substrate benefits greatly from these roots, as they release oxygen and promote beneficial bacteria. The roots also absorb various nutrients, including ammonia and ammonium. My gut feeling is that plants are generally better off in the substrate.

[skymist]

I always take my plants out of their little pots, but I've seen others just stick the pot in the substrate. My dad's had fish tanks for as long as I can remember - it's his fault I'm into it too. He's got a 50-litre tank now and he's planted it up since his barbs stopped eating all the plants. He bought a cryptocoryne and just left it in its pot, the roots had already grown out of the slots and he didn't want to risk damaging it. So he just pushed the pot into the substrate and buried it, and the crypt's done fine, it's grown and spread out no problem. Not sure if that's any help, just thought I'd mention it.

[tides_roll]

I experimented with potted plants for several years in an attempt to control the overgrowth of Vallisnaria. Having sand in my tank, I found that it wasn't ideal for plant growth, based on my previous experience with a gravel substrate. To counter this, I used gravel in the pots, which were then disguised with bogwood. The Vallisnaria thrived, while the Zorchzon Swords initially struggled in the sand.

I opted for unglazed terrac pots, which worked well without any issues. These pots come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing for creative underwater features. If you're considering this approach, I'd say give it a try – you can always remove the pots if it doesn't work out or if you're not pleased with the aesthetic.

[starboy]

I'm considering using pots for my aquarium plants as it allows me to easily rearrange them until I find a layout that suits me. The flexibility is key for me. As I mentioned earlier, there are pros and cons to this approach, but I think it's worth exploring.

[boomer]

I've come across a few setups where plants are grown in pots within a tank, rather than planted directly into the substrate.

What types of pots or containers would work well in this scenario, though? Are there specific materials or designs that are better suited for aquarium use?

Some plants seem like they'd adapt to this setup more easily than others - are there certain species that would thrive in pots, or ones that would be better off in the substrate?

There are pros and cons to growing aquarium plants in pots rather than the substrate. Knowing the background behind your decision to use pots might be helpful.

In your case, you want the flexibility to move plants around until you're satisfied with the arrangement. That's a valid reason for using pots.

I've done something similar in the past. I'd place the potted plant in its original plastic pot in the desired location and leave it there for a few days or weeks. Once I was sure, I'd carefully pull it out, remove the pot and rock wool, and plant the roots directly in the substrate. This method minimizes root disturbance, which can be detrimental, although usually not significantly. Some roots may grow through the rock wool and pot, but it's easy to avoid disturbing them until you're ready to plant.