Newbie Planter...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I was wondering what the best way is to anchor them into the sand, though, now that I think about it... the guy at the LFS gave me a bunch of lead weights to hold them down, but I don't really like planting them in bunches. Correct me if I'm wrong on this... will they spread?

I was thinking that a plastic grid (kind of like the ones that they sell crocheting/needlework that you use with yarn and a needle) with a plant stuck through the grid holes might work pretty well for getting that started... might suck with a burrowing fish, though....

Thoughts?
 
rsandelius said:
I was wondering what the best way is to anchor them into the sand, though, now that I think about it... the guy at the LFS gave me a bunch of lead weights to hold them down, but I don't really like planting them in bunches. Correct me if I'm wrong on this... will they spread?

I was thinking that a plastic grid (kind of like the ones that they sell crocheting/needlework that you use with yarn and a needle) with a plant stuck through the grid holes might work pretty well for getting that started... might suck with a burrowing fish, though....

Thoughts?
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i'd be careful with the lead weights. if you put them on too tight you can smother the roots and end up killing the plants. with buch plants, i dont believe they spread. i think you're thinking about runners like what hairgrass and micro swords use to spread. i think with bunch plants they just grow tall and start growing roots and what you do it cut right below the root and then re-plant them. on my rotala indica in my tank (bunched in the left corner) i used a small rubber band that is loose, yet holds it together and usually, if you have deep enough substrate (about 2''), it will stay down. and yea, if you have digging fish, then planting in general is a pain in the arse! :swear: not sure about that grid though.
 
Now... my sand isn't SUPER deep... does having the bottom of the shoots right up against the bottom glass pose a problem? 'Cause putting them THAT deep was the only way that I was able to get them to stick in the ground...

Or maybe I need deeper sand... right now it's only about 1" deep....
 
rsandelius said:
Now... my sand isn't SUPER deep... does having the bottom of the shoots right up against the bottom glass pose a problem? 'Cause putting them THAT deep was the only way that I was able to get them to stick in the ground...

Or maybe I need deeper sand... right now it's only about 1" deep....
Click to expand...

i didn't really understand the question, but yea, i'd go deeper. 2" is ideal. you wouldn't believe how long some of those roots get. you can also trim roots when planting in your tank to make planting a little easier.
 
i'll remind you that i just re-planted my tank yesterday, so thats why nothing is full and lush yet. lol. i'll keep you updated if you like. we'll see how this thing turns out!
 
Here are the pics of my tank (w/ new plants in there)... hopefully you'll be able to tell me what kind they are...
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speaking of substrate I know it will depend on the plants but for the most part, I see sand, and dane looks like pebbles? is it something special? or will regular aquarium gravel work?
 
anyone?
 
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