How to keep rhizome plants alive without something to attach to?

Hello Fishlore,

I have rhizome plants arriving tomorrow but I don't think the stones are arriving tomorrow. So how do I keep the plants alive without attach them to rocks or wood?

 

Floating

 

Well, Rhyzome plants naturally get most of their nutrients from the water column....So long as the tank has the proper nutrients to keep them healthy, I would think you could just plop em in the tank and leave em, they should sink. They'll start taking nutrients from the water column.

I would understand your concerns more if it were a stalk plant like rotalia or ludwigia, but something like anubias or java fern should do fine without the gravel bed or anything to stick em on - its part of why you CAN free floating attach them to rock/wood. I've got some anubias that's just floating around in my tank and it's not dying...

You might notice some melt right away as the plants acclimate, but this is normal. If you REALLY want to attach them or not let them float, you could use any small rock, stone...anything that weighs enough and is aquarium safe really, and use that to weigh the plant down. But you really shouldn't need to.

 

I’ve got my anubias floating right now and it kind of just sticks to everything, so sometimes it finds a decoration to stick to on it’s own. They’ve grown 3 leaves in a few months so I’d say floating works just fine

 

Just let them float in the tank they will be fine

 

I almost always have at least one Java Fern floating around in my tank, either because they detached and I haven't gotten around to fixing them, or because it's new growth that I don't know what to do with. They definitely seem to grow more slowly than my attached Java Fern, but otherwise are fine. And mine float around for weeks or months.

 

I have some of mine tied to a suction cup.

 

If you dont want it floating you could tie it to anything fish safe that will sink for the time being.

 

You can just put a weight on them.

 

As long as the rhizone is not buried the. Plants will survive just on top of the gravel anything to hold them down if you don't want them floating. Or the tiniest dot of superglue to a stone will. Hold it in place.. Its not toxic to the plant or fish.. I use the gel form its alot. Easier and then when you want to put it on whatever you buy for it. You just use a sharp. Knife and the superglue some of the rock and your can Re glue it.. Hope that helps

 

Hello Fishlore,

I have rhizome plants arriving tomorrow but I don't think the stones are arriving tomorrow. So how do I keep the plants alive without attach them to rocks or wood?

If it's only for a day or two you should be able to just leave them in the package they were shipped in (assuming there's some moisture in it). I've done that a time or two without problems.

 

Floating

Ok I will most likely do this. Thanks!

Well, Rhyzome plants naturally get most of their nutrients from the water column....So long as the tank has the proper nutrients to keep them healthy, I would think you could just plop em in the tank and leave em, they should sink. They'll start taking nutrients from the water column.

I would understand your concerns more if it were a stalk plant like rotalia or ludwigia, but something like anubias or java fern should do fine without the gravel bed or anything to stick em on - its part of why you CAN free floating attach them to rock/wood. I've got some anubias that's just floating around in my tank and it's not dying...

You might notice some melt right away as the plants acclimate, but this is normal. If you REALLY want to attach them or not let them float, you could use any small rock, stone...anything that weighs enough and is aquarium safe really, and use that to weigh the plant down. But you really shouldn't need to.

Ok, Thanks! I'll float them.

I’ve got my anubias floating right now and it kind of just sticks to everything, so sometimes it finds a decoration to stick to on it’s own. They’ve grown 3 leaves in a few months so I’d say floating works just fine

I'll only have to float them for at most a week, so it is nothing permanent. Thanks!

Just let them float in the tank they will be fine

Ok, Thanks!

I almost always have at least one Java Fern floating around in my tank, either because they detached and I haven't gotten around to fixing them, or because it's new growth that I don't know what to do with. They definitely seem to grow more slowly than my attached Java Fern, but otherwise are fine. And mine float around for weeks or months.

Hmm, ok. I'll float them then, Thanks!

I have some of mine tied to a suction cup.

This is a good idea but I don't need to do that since my rocks will be here soon, but Thanks!

If you dont want it floating you could tie it to anything fish safe that will sink for the time being.

Ok, Thanks!

You can just put a weight on them.

I don't have any weights at the moment but I should purchase some anyway. Thanks!

As long as the rhizone is not buried the. Plants will survive just on top of the gravel anything to hold them down if you don't want them floating. Or the tiniest dot of superglue to a stone will. Hold it in place.. Its not toxic to the plant or fish.. I use the gel form its alot. Easier and then when you want to put it on whatever you buy for it. You just use a sharp. Knife and the superglue some of the rock and your can Re glue it.. Hope that helps

Thanks, I have super glue and am going to use it to attach plants to rocks and coconut hides.

If it's only for a day or two you should be able to just leave them in the package they were shipped in (assuming there's some moisture in it). I've done that a time or two without problems.

Hmm, I am worried that they won't get enough CO2 or O2. Thanks for the idea though. I might do that since I have a jungle of vallisneria which may block the plants from floating.

 

Vals are great, I have the corkscrew one and I love it.. Can get. Uprooted easy but if you have a carpet then maybe not so easy.. Mine is still only 3 weeks in the tank so not had time establish properly yet.. Its growing at a rate of knots though lol