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	Live plants driving me nuts!
stuquarium Enthusiast Posts: 262 Kudos: 275 Votes: 0 Registered: 28-Oct-2004	hey guys. is it just me or do when ever you buy live plants they last no more than a week before the tank citizens tare them up and leave them flaoting on the top of your tank it looks so messy. and is a pain to clean, do i have to like it and lump it? or are there things i can do to prent the fish tearing them to shreds. eg.. plant weights? or use plastic ones.. or anything? help?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Never had that problem honestly. How deep is your substrate, and how are you planting them? ^_^ Current [link=Contest Rules]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Aquascaping/44382.html?200412022138" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link][/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
stuquarium Enthusiast Posts: 262 Kudos: 275 Votes: 0 Registered: 28-Oct-2004	the substrate is at least 2 inches thick at it's shallowist point. i'm basically sticking them in. and trying to weigh them down with gravel, or spare rocks..
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	2" is the minimum so you should be good. I suggest bending the stem into something like an "L" shape (dont break the stem just bend as far as it will go). Then plant it that way. Also pile up the gravel around the plants for a few weeks till they can root then you can let the gravel smooth out again. You can also use larger rocks around the plants if you have them. Any ideas on the trouble makers? ^_^ Current [link=Contest Rules]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Aquascaping/44382.html?200412022138" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link][/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
amico Hobbyist Posts: 112 Kudos: 138 Votes: 4 Registered: 05-Jan-2005	wat i do is i get the lava rocks for the tanks and put them on the bottom with the hole facing up at the top of the tank and then use it like a natural pot and the cant uproot it ooh and it looks prtty cool to
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
stuquarium Enthusiast Posts: 262 Kudos: 275 Votes: 0 Registered: 28-Oct-2004	yeah i'll try those things, thanks. the trouble makers are the paire of kribs, and the dwarf gourmai. he can't get enough of one particular plant, and single finadly destroy it on is own. i've seen my angel's have a nip hear and there to..
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	stuquarium I am going way out the other direction here. There must be a reason why they are doing this. Suggestion start feeding extras, greens cooked mashed peas, or any good cooked green veg, and a iceburg lettuce not the hard center of the leaves. Weigh it down with a small rock. If they have not touched it within one hr dont worry try again next day before you give them their normal feeding. 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 11:44
stuquarium Enthusiast Posts: 262 Kudos: 275 Votes: 0 Registered: 28-Oct-2004	hmm so feed them more greens? they have been getting 3 cooked frozen peas every couple of days. i'll try and up the greens
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
stuquarium Enthusiast Posts: 262 Kudos: 275 Votes: 0 Registered: 28-Oct-2004	still no luck. after a week, i've lost 60% of my plants
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Looks like you may need to go with less tasty plants. I know java fern is one that almost no one will touch. It's a slow growing low light plant that should be tied to driftwood or rock. It prefers to root itself rather than be planted in the substrate. ^_^ Current [link=Contest Rules]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Aquascaping/44382.html?200412022138" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link][/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	stuquarium Looks like your fish arer fussy eaters and prefer the tender plants. Have a go at some hardy thicker leaf plants. I would also keep the greens going. 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 11:44
debbiemc Fish Addict Posts: 520 Kudos: 80 Registered: 06-Aug-2001	None of my fish like Spatterdock, Anubias or the Red Tiger Lotus (although you would need good light for the Lotus). It could also be a territorial thing - maybe the fish just don't like the plants. If all fails, try a plastic one and see if they dig it up & push it away & keep putting it back or in another spot & once they tire of it, replace it with a similar looking in real - That worked with my Oscar in the 2nd tank and he doesn't touch the plant anymore. Deb In wildness, nature is not human-hearted!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
stuquarium Enthusiast Posts: 262 Kudos: 275 Votes: 0 Registered: 28-Oct-2004	hey thanks guys. well after a week i lost 70% of my plants.they seem to not wanna touch the big leaf ones though... i do have a plastic plant in there. and it hasn't budged in over 2 months... odd huh!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44


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