Aggravation!!!! Need tips on anchoring

I’ve been anchoring all my plants under my gravel and having little to no luck I had one anacharis elodea that’s been stable since the beginning and has always stayed in place and today I found the whole thing floating at the top. It was just the straw that broke the camels back I’m so aggravated. Any tips on how to keep my plants in the gravel? I’m trying to grow a root system here but that’s never going to happen at this point. I’ve tried putting rocks on top of them that doesn’t seem to work.

 

Tie them to a rock and bury the rock in the gravel.

 

I take water bottle caps cut an X in them push your pinkie through the X then put the plant stem through the X and bury the bottle cap under your rocks.

 

I bought a package of super tiny rubber bands just for this purpose. I attach the plant to a small rock with a rubber band and bury the rock. Fortunately rocks don't float any where but on Pandora.

 

But what am I tying the plants to rocks and soda caps with?

 

But what am I tying the plants to rocks and soda caps with?

All you have to do is cut the X then push your pinkie through it then the stem of the plant and the cap will close a little holding the stem in place then just clear a spot in the tank put the cap and stem plant down and brush some rocks over it. They will hold

 

I’ve been anchoring all my plants under my gravel and having little to no luck I had one anacharis elodea that’s been stable since the beginning and has always stayed in place and today I found the whole thing floating at the top. It was just the straw that broke the camels back I’m so aggravated. Any tips on how to keep my plants in the gravel? I’m trying to grow a root system here but that’s never going to happen at this point. I’ve tried putting rocks on top of them that doesn’t seem to work.

I buy small suction cups that I can use with small plastic zip ties and/or fishing line. They don't go anywhere, even when I vac. Some people say their suction cups come off too easily. It's a mystery why mine don't. I can't get them off the glass without a special tool. Hate them for attaching equipment! But, love for plants.

 

But what am I tying the plants to rocks and soda caps with?

Like I said. I use tiny rubber bands to attach the plants to rocks. I tried the bottle top cap but sadly I ended up cutting the stems more often than I was comfortable with. Tiny rubber bands just work better for me.

 

I haven't tried this tip yet but the ceramic media that has the hole in the center has been suggested to help with holding plants down. I believe the idea is just to slip the plant through the center and viola! They come in multiple sizes so that helps to find the right fit.
Otherwise I have used bread ties for a short time for anubias to get it to root to an object then I remove the tie.

 

Here are a couple pics as an example.

 

I haven't tried this tip yet but the ceramic media that has the hole in the center has been suggested to help with holding plants down. I believe the idea is just to slip the plant through the center and viola! They come in multiple sizes so that helps to find the right fit.
Otherwise I have used bread ties for a short time for anubias to get it to root to an object then I remove the tie.

I have actually tried it I was desperate and was willing to try all options. Both hornwort and anacharis (sp) rotted off and of course floated when it did. I feel sure this would work well for plants that aren't as delicate as those 2. I do have some wisteria held down with ceramic media and so far it is working well. For me the tiny rubber band work best for most of my plants.

 

Here are a couple pics as an example.

Ok that seems easy enough. Ty!

 

They sell lead plant weights too. I haven't used them for plants yet just veggies for the Pleco. I can't see how they wouldn't work. Re usable too.

 

For tiny rubber bands, I recommend the ones we use to braid manes and tails. You can look on any horse website, or probably find them on Amazon. They are super small and they stretch really well. I've only ever had a couple break on me when braiding the horses.

 

For tiny rubber bands, I recommend the ones we use to braid manes and tails. You can look on any horse website, or probably find them on Amazon. They are super small and they stretch really well. I've only ever had a couple break on me when braiding the horses.

My girlfriend found them at a dollar store for I believe 500 of them which basically comes to about 17 lifetimes worth of elastics

 

My girlfriend found them at a dollar store for I believe 500 of them which basically comes to about 17 lifetimes worth of elastics

Oh is that all?

 

I used these.

Eagle Claw WTWST Twist-On Line Sinkers

 

You can also get super glue for anchoring plants to rocks and wood. I actually got some made especially for the purpose. I think it was Seachem Flourish Glue.