Buying Plants From Pets At Home

[STEWARDSONS]

was going to get a large piece of bogwood with plants routed to it from pets at home. they are all in the display tanks with the fish. some have a bit of hair algae on then wood.

if i get one shall i just brush the algae off and put it in the tank or is it better to rinse the whole thing off? i know their tanks arent the best kept

 

[ZoddyZod]

was going to get a large piece of bogwood with plants routed to it from pets at home. they are all in the display tanks with the fish. some have a bit of hair algae on then wood.

if i get one shall i just brush the algae off and put it in the tank or is it better to rinse the whole thing off? i know their tanks arent the best kept

rinsing the plants is a good idea. Some LFS will use chemicals to kill any snail infestations, and I know you have shrimp in your tank so better to be safe than sorry.

 

[coldcazzie]

Wouldn't it be easier to buy a big piece of bogwood, then buy a good quality plant online and glue it on yourself? You'd get a better plant and no algae...

 

[ZoddyZod]

Wouldn't it be easier to buy a big piece of bogwood, then buy a good quality plant online and glue it on yourself? You'd get a better plant and no algae...

fair point.....possibly cheaper as well.

 

[STEWARDSONS]

glue it on? i was under the impression that you had to wind a lot of thread around it and then it took quite a while to route to it?

 

[ZoddyZod]

glue it on? i was under the impression that you had to wind a lot of thread around it and then it took quite a while to route to it?

superglue! Just make sure you buy one that has a single ingredient called cyranolate - it's known to be aquarium safe.

I've got plants in my tank that were glued 18months ago and they are still firmly attached.

 

[coldcazzie]

glue it on? i was under the impression that you had to wind a lot of thread around it and then it took quite a while to route to it?

superglue! Just make sure you buy one that has a single ingredient called cyranolate - it's known to be aquarium safe.

I've got plants in my tank that were glued 18months ago and they are still firmly attached.

cyanoacrylate

but yes, ZZ is right. glue is much better than thread. Although thread works too either way, you'd still end up with a better plant. And bearing in mind the ridiculous cost of those plants in P@H and what you get for it, it will be much cheaper!

 

[ZoddyZod]

cyanoacrylate

#41#### my mispelling and google search history!

d.a.m.n is a banned word???

 

[coldcazzie]

cyanoacrylate

#41#### my mispelling and google search history!

d.a.m.n is a banned word???

and yes it is! bad zod! *slaps wrist*

 

[STEWARDSONS]

HA HA, im surprised pets at home isnt banned to lol

if i buy potted plants rather than leaded ones then take them out of the pot and put them into a hole in the wood and secure with thread.

will that work?

 

[Mowbz]

cyanoacrylate

#41#### my mispelling and google search history!

d.a.m.n is a banned word???

Found that out in my first ever post!

Also, the stuff you mention, cyanoacrylate. Ive used this stuff in the past to make cyanide gas, which can then be used to develop fingerprints from hard surfaces. (dont ask... lol)

Im just wondering HOW this cant be toxic to the fish? Its evidentally not, becuase as Zoddy said, he glued stuff 18 months ago, and i guess still has fish?!

If you want to know why i ask, take a ball of cotton wool outside, and drip some of the glue onto it. The sudden vapour and sometimes ignition, is what worries me about using it in a tank!

(I find it amazing that they dont put on the side of the tube about not using it on cotton wool. Surely people use it for crafts? Instant result is cyanide gas...)

 

[ZoddyZod]

HA HA, im surprised pets at home isnt banned to lol

if i buy potted plants rather than leaded ones then take them out of the pot and put them into a hole in the wood and secure with thread.

will that work?

it's only going to work on plants that don't like to be planted in the substrate. Java fern and anubias for example. But otherwise, can't see why not.

Im just wondering HOW this cant be toxic to the fish? Its evidentally not, becuase as Zoddy said, he glued stuff 18 months ago, and i guess still has fish?!

I had the same doubts, but was told it has something to do with the chemistry of the ingredient when it comes into contact with water, it solidifies and becomes non-toxic.....but don't ask me to explain how!

 

[KkAaNnEe]

No need to explain, proofs in the pudding!

 

[MBOU]

I've used superglue to stick some completely slippery suckers of a coral to some liverock and it did neither the tank nor the coral any harm, ended up with the glue on my hands and the second i put my hand in the water it solidified and went slightly white.

You can use cotton or laccy bands to put a plant onto the wood but both break down really quickly, sometimes before the plant attatches. Best one i found was plastic thread from a fishing tackle shop

EDIT: I would so be making cyanide gas right now if i had any superglue!! Or cottonwool for that matter....

 

[fluttermoth]

The only trouble with thread or fishing line is if you have catfish, or especially plecs; I've had fish get caught between the thread and the wood, and have had to cut them loose; I think glue's much safer!

It looks nicer too; just towel dry the wood and the plant and try it a few ways so you get a good match between the root and the wood and use a small amount of glue because as MBOU says, it does show up white.