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	Keeping plants in the rocks???
RAST Big Fish Posts: 437 Kudos: 162 Votes: 236 Registered: 07-Feb-2002	Hi all, Well I have a four foot tank with Angels, Kissing gouramis and a few harliquins in there and they are forever ripping up the plants??? How could I stop this from happening???
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	How deep is the substrate? Too shallow a substrate is often a main cause of unplanted plants. Some people use the lead weights, I personally dont like them too much. The trick I've found that works the best for keeping plants down till the roots develop is to bend the stem slightly so that it almost forms an L shape. Then mound the substrate around the plants higher than you would normally have it. That will help keep it protected. You can even put some larger rocks around the base of the plants as well just until they've had a chance to root. ^_^[hr width='40%']"in any case, chocolate is hardly a rare comodity." said Chaos. "There are planets covered in the stuff" REALLY? "Indeed." IT MIGHT BE BEST, said Death, IF NEWS LIKE THAT DID NOT GET ABOUT. ~ Theif of Time [link=Terry Pratchett]http://www.terrypratchettbooks.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43
dvmchrissy Big Fish Posts: 477 Kudos: 301 Votes: 38 Registered: 09-Oct-2005	I have the same problem, what would be the trick for plants like wisteria? Someone told me when pruning them to cut the bottom half off and replant the top. It is hard to bend the stems on some of the plants because they usually break when I bend them. Christina Last edited by dvmchrissy at 22-Nov-2005 17:13
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43
goldfishgeek Fish Addict Posts: 667 Kudos: 412 Votes: 38 Registered: 27-Oct-2003	I have tied plants to pebbles, and planted them and then put pebbles or rocks around them like Babelfish said. in the end I just added more substrate - in my case sand and planted them again and again till they rooted. GFG _______________________________________ Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. Harvey S. Firestone
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	If is continually anoying you get plants that a tied to rocks and DW. Eg Anubias If you are using sand some fine rooted plants find it difficult to establish a good root system. Have a look in [link=My Profile]http:// www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info [link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43
RAST Big Fish Posts: 437 Kudos: 162 Votes: 236 Registered: 07-Feb-2002	Its about 3 - 4 cm deep.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43
upikabu Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 393 Votes: 44 Registered: 08-Jun-2005	That's a bit too shallow for a planted tank, especially if you're using sand and/or have rooted plants like swords or crypts. I'd shoot for at least 2-3" (5-7cm) of substrate if you have rooted plants. You can add more substrate when you're doing a water change. You'd probably want to do one section at a time though, so you don't disturb all the good bacteria that live on the substrate. -P
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43
RAST Big Fish Posts: 437 Kudos: 162 Votes: 236 Registered: 07-Feb-2002	Ok then. Might try that but I had the tank setup before and the plants were fine. I guess will try it. Got nothing to loose hey! Thanks for the help
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	For a planted tank you want 3-4 inches or 7-1cm of substrate. If you've ever unpotted a plant that's been growing in a really small container you'll see the roots growing all over each other and in exactly the shape of the pot. A similar thing will happen in a tank, especially if the substrate is too shallow. What will end up happening is that the plant is unable to grow up further because it cant grow down to support itself and you end up with unhappy plants. ^_^[hr width='40%']"I hear you weep so far from me, I taste your tears like you're next to me And I know That my weak prayers are not enough to heal, All the ancient wounds so deep and so dear"~[img]http://img .photobucket.com/albums/v195/Babelfish/Smilies/HIM.jpg[/img][/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	If you are going to a complete new set up use a good natural coloured substrate 2-3mm 3-4ins deep, and that should solve all the problems. Have a look in [link=My Profile]http:// www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info [link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:43


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