Moss Balls and other plants

I just bought a moss ball, and have a question on how to introduce it to my new 10G tank. I got it from PetSmart, and it came in one of those little cups like they keep the bettas. I read on this site that I should quarantine the moss ball before putting it into my tank in case it contains "hitchhikers". I have the following questions:

1. Since it was not in a tank with anything else, does it need a quarantine?
2. Is there any kind of prep I need to do before placing it in the tank (rinsing, etc.)

I have some Anacharis? that I got last week in the tank already. It came rubber banded and with a clamp on it. I just put it in the tank as-is, but really don't like the way it looks with that on it.

1. Can I uproot the plants and take that stuff off?
2. If I can, what is the risk of uprooting it after a week of being planted? It's growing like crazy, and I have roots and new shoots all up and down the plants (there are 4 clumps).
3. If I replant it, can I string it along the bottom so that the roots that are hanging mid-tank are actually planted in the sand/gravel mix they are in, or is it better to leave them like they are?

Thanks in advance,
Annie

**edit** I have a betta in the tank already. I've tried to attach photos, but am unable to. Is there a trick to this?

 

1. No, I've never heard of anyone quarantining pre-packaged moss balls.

2. Always rinse plants before planting. Always.

(1.) Yes

(2.) Minimal, don't worry if it breaks.

(3.) Many people tie their plants to mesh, witch the put below substrate. It's fine, and makes your tank look better IMO.

 

Many thanks!

 

Anacharis is typically going to shoot out those "roots" nearly everywhere along the stem. I believe they are used by the plant to simply anchor it some place, and the plant takes in nutrients through the stem/leaves. I have found that this plant tends to shoot out the roots more often when it is left floating around the tank, and tends to just grow without as many when anchored vertically into the substrate.

 

I don't quarrentine moss balls and have 11 divided between 3 tanks. Always remove any elastic on stem plants when you get them home, before you plant or float them. ....Alison

 

I noticed they have been shooting out those roots mid-plant, while the part I have in the gravel is starting to die. Thanks for the info MrGoodkat, that explains it! aliray - Uh oh, I left the ties and clampy things on my plants...just stuck them in the tank barely under the substrate. I want to remove the clamps and ties though, maybe that's why they are starting to die? Should the anacharis be floated instead of planted?

 

I have never had good luck planting anacharis; exactly like you described whatever part of the plant I had under the substrate would start to die off, and eventually it would let go and start floating around. I'm sure there's some way to do it properly though, maybe someone else will be able to help you out there? If I had to venture a guess, I would maybe consider cutting off a bit of the bottom and planting it in the substrate, which may stimulate root growth at the bottom to anchor it. I don't know for sure though.

It's my understanding that those flexible "twist tie" plant weights won't actually hurt anything in the tank (I want to say they're zinc?).