I was pretty sure that puting pots in the tank(for my plants cuz it's a barebottom) was okay I just wanted to double check that it wouldn't screw up my params or something awful like that! is it okay?

Yes, its okay. Lots of ppl with bare-bottom tanks do that. Your on the right track. keep it up... good luck with they plants!
-tyler

My only concern with a potted plant is that stagnant water would collect in the gravel/substrate used in the pot... and hence bad bacteria?? I had my lucky bamboo in a pot in there before - I ended up taking it out for other reasons - but I wondered if I should have rearranged the gravel in the pot once in a while to stir any still water out of it? or put an airstone in the bottom of the pot...?

I promise I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but I've never been able to figure this one out...

when you clean, you can dump the pot over and vaccume its gravel then repot the plant or use pots with holes in the bottom

I have a "goldfish Bowl" with a plant in it, and it works wonderfull!

Alot of people use pots in their bare bottom tanks. If you go into the tank of the month forum, the winner of last months tank of the month had a bare bottom, and all of their plants were in little glass pots. Its amazing!! I suggest going and checking it out!!!

yeah, I got the kind with holes in the bottom.
thanks for the quick replies guys!

Watch out for terra cotta as well. Most unglazed terra cotta pots are fine. However some terra cotta pots will drastically change your Ph. This happened to a member on another board. All his fish died in a few hours, because he thought this simple unglazed terra cotta pot would be ok.

Just a heads up that you have to check every thing before putting it in your tank unless it says that it is specifically for fish tanks.

I personally use little glass bowls (they are votive candle holders i got at the dollar store)

Always look to see if glazes are food safe. if they dont say, or arnt, DONT USE THEM! many glazes have lead and other nasty's in them to get those great colors!



my little onion plant.. it will have friends soon

even watch the unglazed ones!! lol Phchanges are bad.

What an excellent idea for all those "gf bowls" that shouldn't ever be used!!! I love your idea. It makes for a colorful one too. Putting different colors in there. Nice thought.

If the ph was going to change it would have done it by now right? Just want to be on the safe side!!

yes it wouldve. lol your ok!

Terracotta, being very porous, would eventually dissolve - yup, affecting pH - or maybe just crack, split, etc. leaving other fishy dangers. I would try to steer clear of clay. Clay + Water = MUD! This is why, when you buy a terracotta dish or plates, they tell you not to put it in the dishwasher - even if it is glazed - there is usually a ring around the bottom of the plate that is not glazed where the plate was standing when it was in the kiln... an Achille's heel, so to speak.

I have seen lots of tubs that look like terracotta but are not - but never in small sizes. I'll look around. I'm working on adding plants, too!

i use old water bottles. like ice mountain bottles. i just cut it off at how high i want it to be then i put gravel in it to weigh it down. now im gonna start to drill holes in the bottom to keep the poopy and dirt out.