Havesting wild aquatic plants

[Kris P Bacon]

*Disclaimer* I have a native 29 gallon, I don't quarantine fish, crustaceans or plants. I have had ick and anchor worm issues in the past, and the subsequent losses associated with that.

While I know that is frowned upon, I am on a budget and live in the sticks. 35 miles to a pet store and a ride and extra funds are rare. However, a short bike ride away is nature and I harvest what I can.

After about 6 months, my tank seems stabilized and disease/parasite free.

My first attempt at live plants was hydrilla, weighted with a rock. After the mollies pecked away and water changes, etc it started free floating and wanted to mess with the intake on my HOB filter.

So after a while with no plants, I harvested more hydrilla and had a rare moment of increased brain function and said to myself, "gotta be a better way"

So I washed all the detritus and bugs off and bunched it up and clipped the ends even. I then wrapped wire around the end and around a lead weight. Much better.

Did the same with another species I have yet to ID, it is broad(er) leaved. And some water hyacinth on top. Here is a bad laptop camera pic (sorry, it's what I'm working with)

Tank bottom is sparse pea gravel. Lots of sun comes thru the window, but only a bit direct in mornings.

Share your live plant technuiqes and advice, please.

 

[duanes]

Since Hydrilla is an invasive plant species, I doubt anyone will have a problem with you removing it from Florida waters, it is thought aquarists are to be blamed for putting it there in the first place.
At first I thought I had pulled Egeria from Lake Gatun in Panama, but Hydrilla may be what it is, also an invasive here.

Mine is starting to grow quite well in filtered sunlight in a tank on the patio, under a roof.

 

[imabot]

New *Disclaimer* I have a native 29 gallon, I don't quarantine fish, crustaceans or plants. I have had ick and anchor worm issues in the past, and the subsequent losses associated with that.

Do a bleach dip if you don't want to quarantine.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Tip: use worm castings to fertilize plants .
Remove any dead or dying leaves once established.

Snails aren't a bad idea either

 

[Kris P Bacon]

Do a bleach dip if you don't want to quarantine.

Plants or fish? How does one do that?

 

[Jmahn]

please man not the fish jk dip plants I do a 1-10 part solution

 

[imabot]

Plants or fish? How does one do that?

 

[Kris P Bacon]

Since Hydrilla is an invasive plant species, I doubt anyone will have a problem with you removing it from Florida waters, it is thought aquarists are to be blamed for putting it there in the first place.
At first I thought I had pulled Egeria from Lake Gatun in Panama, but Hydrilla may be what it is, also an invasive here.
View attachment 1355263
Mine is starting to grow quite well in filtered sunlight in a tank on the patio, under a roof.

Yep, take enough out and you can make a business. Boat ramps have signs warning to make sure your boat is free and clean before and after launching. It ruins fishing and boating in waterways.