i bought a real plant from the pet shop. The problem is that, after its been in the water, it begins to break up so that it ends up with several long bits of plant floating at the top. How can i hold the plant together in the stones to prevent it from moving? Can i use elastic bands or something?
Thankyou.
2007-04-27 04:54:08 · 7 answers · asked by Fraser :] 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Do you know if your plant is called Elodea, Anacharis, or Egeria (all names for the same thing, see photo: http://www.watergarden.org/s.nl/it.A/id.681/.f?sc=2&category=57&partner=seasonal
You may have a problem keping this one in place. Although it can produce roots, they aren't really used to anchor the plant or for nutrition - it gets what it needs through it's leaves. Any part of the plant you try any put below the gravel (or in one of the metal bands so they sink) will die and the plant floats again. The stem is weak, and even if you can get it to stay in the gravel, upper parts will break off and float. It also seems to be sensitive to some types of plant fertilizers, which cause them to break apart even more frequently.
http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=110
2007-04-27 06:34:21 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the same thing and I just gave up and let them float. They do look very nice when they are anchored, though.
There is a thing online you can buy. It might be petsmart. It is an anchor -you just stick the plants in and it keeps them together.
Just do a search for "Aquarium Plant Anchor" and see what you can come up with.
Otherwise maybe try the elastic or rubber bands and band it around a flat stone like a worry stone.
2007-04-27 12:07:47 · answer #2 · answered by mzepos 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the type of plant. For running plants on a stalk the rubberband idea or plant weights work well until they root but for something like a sword plant it's a bigger problem than just keeping it in the gravel if it's breaking apart.
MM
2007-04-27 13:12:29 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Petco sells some plant anchors that you can quickly attach to your plant to weigh it down. I would recommend some of those.
2007-04-28 13:23:55 · answer #4 · answered by ZooTycoonMaster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the lead weights they sell in pet stores. You wrap them around the bottom of the plant.(The weights are soft and pliable)
2007-04-27 12:04:48 · answer #5 · answered by DAGIM 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep, you can definitely use an elastic band... That's what I use.
2007-04-27 12:35:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting a rubber band around it!
2007-04-27 11:57:20 · answer #7 · answered by Mellycat123 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋