dlaub64

well I was thinking of getting some anacharis for my 10g, since its pretty much the only thing my LFS has, (I think they might have some anubia) and theres not a single java fern or moss in there.

I was wondering if anacharis is suitable in an 10g tank. I have sand for a substrate, and I have alot of round and smooth fist sized rocks, there are also 5 or 6 fake plants.

Now I read something that said that Anacharis needed C02 fertilization, and I am not sure what exactly that entails. I read somewhere in the DIY section how to make a C02 device...and I was wondering if I would nee dsomehting like that for the anacharis.

If I did need it, would it kill my fish at all? Because obviously the fish need oxygenated water...also I have a bubble screen along the back wall of the tank to help keep it airrated, wouldnt that negate the affects of the c02 device?

pinkfloydpuffer

I have anacharis in my 5g, 10g, and 20g. I'm not using any CO2, and so far it's been fine. It will take off if there's nitrates for it. It's a nitrate sponge, lol.

dlaub64

yay! I love those speedy...and actually helpfull...replies.

But I do have a few more questions.

1. Should I wait till my tank is completely cycled before adding anacharis?
2. I have the walmart 10g tank stock lighting, is that enough?
3. Is there a way to make sure it stays attached to a rock without actually taking the rock out and tieing it down? Because, my rock structure was really a pain to setup, since the majority of the rocks are round and smooth, none of them really like to be messed with, or they fall out of place. Ther structure I have now is fairly sturdy, but its only like that because when I originally set it up, some of the rocks slipped into the position its in now...but now it is sturdy.

pinkfloydpuffer

1. Nope, you can go ahead and add it.
2. Um... I'm not familiar with it... how many watts? and is it fluorescent or incandescent?
3. The problem with anacharis is... it doesn't like to stay planted. Lol. I stick it in the substrate and then a few days later it's floating again so I just leave it there until next time I do a water change. You could try piling some little rocks/gravel on top of the plant to get it to stay down I suppose.

dlaub64

The light is fluorescent, but I do have an incandescent type of hood if that would work better.
And the anacharis in my store comes with the roots sort of bundled up with 1 or 2 rubber bands. The lady at the store told me I could just take it like that and sortof of burry it in the sand or wherever, is that right? or do I need to undo the rubberbands and allow the roots to flow out.

pinkfloydpuffer

Fluorescent is better. It has a more natural light spectrum that's better for growing plants.
Hm... mine only have like 2 roots on each stem... lol. Um... I think it will grow out of the rubber bands in time. Not 100% on that though...

dlaub64

the anacharis roots from my store look kindof like these ones in the 'see full size image'

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...6safe%3Dactive

pinkfloydpuffer

Hm... it's hard to see in that pic....
Mine just have like 2 or 3 long thin tendrils that come out at the bottom and wherever a new plant starts. The rubberband will likely make whatever is under them 'melt', but otherwise it should be fine.

dlaub64

I bought some today and figured it out, its actually 4-5 plants banded together, my lfs sells them like that, and I just seperate them and spread them out

I didnt break them, none were held together by anything but the band

pinkfloydpuffer

Ah yes. Mine were sold that way as well.

mjordan

most are sold that way. i looks more apeling to a fish keepers eye.
i undo mine from there band and they are realy cool.
back to the bands.
they put them in bands of 4-7 because people by less if no put together.

ex:1 yes i would like a bunch of anarchis.
oh ya shure hold on... that is $5

ex:2 ya can i get a few anarchis.
how many
i dont no 1 or 2
that is $2


the point with this bad example is that the point of the sale is for them to make more money.

they also have a better chance in a sale with noobeys thinking its one atractive plant.

i tried my best on this so try not to laugh at my ex: and i think u will get my point