Anyone Recommend A Good Method To Anchor Plants?

[Mr Melt]

Allright lads?

Basically I have begun to stock my new fishtank (Juwel Rio 180). Its a sand substrate, so naturally the plants are only slightly anchored in the sand itself.
My problem is that I have a Blue Acara on the way (ordered), and I know that these lads have a habit of digging right into the sand; therefore uprooting my beautiful plants ¬_¬

Are there any methods that anyone could suggest for me to keep my plants in place?

 

[StandbySetting]

You could use plant masses to weight them down, or anchor them down with Rocks.

 

[ian]

what plants are they? You'd be better off getting some with a good root structure, ie, Crypts and Swords. Stem plants are gonna struggle with a digger.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Also Deeper substrate

 

[Mr Melt]

My substrate is 2.5 inches on average, with 3 inches for the swordplants.

And yes, I have swords and pondweed along the left and back respectively, and some Hygrophila (I think, defenitely a leafy plant) along the center.

 

[umpsfar]

I had a thought about this a while ago, ((obviously getting a piece of lead (easily bendable) and wrapping in around the stem is the best way.)) the leaching on this i do not know, that would be a google research but ive seen them on plants i bought years ago.

as i didnt have any lead on my person , i thought i could probably cut a inch or two piece of clothes hanger wire and bend it , then slip it into the middle of the plant , till the roots get deep enough to hold the plant in place

fancy myself as a bit of a McGyver, but more like McGruber

 

[StandbySetting]

Lead is inert and insoluble in water.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Can't you just buy plant weights? Or will these not be heavy enough

 

[StandbySetting]

Yes you can, they're generally made of lead or magnesium.

 

[lljdma06]

If this had been my cichlid tank, I would have established the plants in the sand bed first, then purchased the fish. Pure sand, IMO, is not a problematic substrate if the bed is deep enough. I actually prefer it to most other substrates.

Hind sight, of course, being 20/20, lead weights are an option, as is incorporating hardscape to surround the plants. Finally, increasing the depth of the sand bed will work as well.

Nice, a blue acara. Great to see planted tanks with more boisterous species. My favorite tank in the NYC aquarium was a huge planted tank with reb-bellied piranhas. Absolutely fabulous! I've never seen piranhas looks so lovely in a tank. Healthy, perfect fins, lovely, deep color, and they were kept with smaller characins as dither fish. Really made me rethink how they should be kept. The ususal setups are rather ugly and bare. A couple pictures to inspire you.