Plant question!

[Deathstar31]

So I have plants in my tank, and I was weighing them down with zinc screws. I then learned that I can't use zinc, as that is harmful to fish. So I started using ceramic weights, but my plants aren't doing well. Help me!

 

[ProudPapa]

What kind of plants?

 

[Deathstar31]

Ferns, guppy weed (i think) and other stuff. I don't really know because it is more of a fish tank than plant tank.

 

[Fishfur]

You can use gel super glue to adhere epiphytic plants like Java fern to wood, stone, or anything else you fancy.

You could also glue single stems to gravel or some other weight temporarily until it grows sufficient roots to stay put by itself.

What kind of substrate are you using?

Images of the plants might let us ID them for you - there are some that just aren’t likely to do well without the specific conditions they require.

 

[Thunder_o_b]

When dealing with plants that need to be attached to rocks or wood (think ferns and Anubis) you can do what Fishfur said and use super glue, or you can use the method I use which is to use pure cotton thread to secure it. The plant will attach in time and the thread will rot and dissolve. These plants must not be planted in the substrate as the rhizome will rot.

When planting bunch plants each plant stalk needs to be planted separately. Be sure to strip all the leaves from the stock on the part that will be in the substrate.

When planting plants like Amazon sword plants be sure to keep the crown of the plant above the substrate.

With plants it is important to understand not only their lighting but their food and mineral needs as well.

 

[Deathstar31]

You can use gel super glue to adhere epiphytic plants like Java fern to wood, stone, or anything else you fancy.

You could also glue single stems to gravel or some other weight temporarily until it grows sufficient roots to stay put by itself.

What kind of substrate are you using?

Images of the plants might let us ID them for you - there are some that just aren’t likely to do well without the specific conditions they require.

We use gravel (smooth).

When dealing with plants that need to be attached to rocks or wood (think ferns and Anubis) you can do what Fishfur said and use super glue, or you can use the method I use which is to use pure cotton thread to secure it. The plant will attach in time and the thread will rot and dissolve. These plants must not be planted in the substrate as the rhizome will rot.

When planting bunch plants each plant stalk needs to be planted separately. Be sure to strip all the leaves from the stock on the part that will be in the substrate.

When planting plants like Amazon sword plants be sure to keep the crown of the plant above the substrate.

With plants it is important to understand not only their lighting but their food and mineral needs as well.

The problem is that the plants are dying not that they are floating.

 

[Fishfur]

We use gravel (smooth).


The problem is that the plants are dying not that they are floating.

Images of these plants would be very useful to see if they are clear & well focused.

 

[Thunder_o_b]

We use gravel (smooth).


The problem is that the plants are dying not that they are floating.

The answer to your issue is there fold.

1. How they are planted.

2. Lighting.

3. Supplements. Mineral as well as organics.

 

[Deathstar31]

The answer to your issue is there fold.

1. How they are planted.

2. Lighting.

3. Supplements. Mineral as well as organics.

So do I use fertilizer in a fish tank?

Images of these plants would be very useful to see if they are clear & well focused.

Ok I'll get them. Or you could check my "What do you think about my tank setup" page as well.

Ignore the poor fish choices in the tank please!

 

[Thunder_o_b]

" So do I use fertilizer in a fish tank?"

Yes. There is a wide range of ferts to choose from. Everything from all in 1 to what I use which is 7 different products from Seachem.

I go this way for complete control. I also use RO/DI water from my 5 stage setup I built several years ago then remineralize the water.