Ever Wasted An Hour Trying To Tie Plants?

[Primous]

Yup so not for the first time I wasted far to much time trying to tie plants down onto some wood and when I completed the task, the plants were still floating. Then I had an aquatic hobbyist's epiphany.

Zip ties!

Positioned the Anubis exactly how I wanted to and, zip. 1:30 (max) per plants VS an hour of string tangling, poor positioning, and plants that still floated. Just figured I'd share this with you and hopefully spare those that (like me) find tying plants down both time consuming and a chore.

 

[Westwood]

I am going to steal this idea! I use elastic bands, which are good, but can snap after a few days in the tank!

Westwood

 

[Livewire88]

Will the plants attach themselves to the wood so you can then remove the ties??

I use fine fishing line which works a treat

 

[StandbySetting]

Or just use super glue and you don't have hideous pieces of plastic in the tank

 

[Primous]

Or just use super glue and you don't have hideous pieces of plastic in the tank

lol I wouldn't call it "hideous." In fact, I think it's extremely neat and precise in comparison to the fishing line method I was using before.

Oh and I refuse to use seachem or any liquid fert/chemicals so I'd never add super glue to my aquarium.

 

[StandbySetting]

Just my personal opinion

Do you use dechlorinator? I was just wondering as you seem against chemicals. Superglue is perfectly safe, it is non-soluble and cures on contact with water instantly.

 

[minnnt]

Super glue is ace for attatching ferns and anubias. I use cotton to tie mosses though. pretty good at it now, but i have to get the missus to help.

 

[Primous]

I need to keep my bac colony numbers up so yup, I make the one exception and use dechlor lol.

 

[Livewire88]

You cant even see the fishing line that I use, its even quite easy to break it with your hands. Was the lightest stuff I could find at my local Angling Centre.

IMO the cable ties do look a bit nasty in a fish tank, but if you are happy with it thats all that matters

 

[Primous]

You cant even see the fishing line that I use, its even quite easy to break it with your hands. Was the lightest stuff I could find at my local Angling Centre.

IMO the cable ties do look a bit nasty in a fish tank, but if you are happy with it thats all that matters

Really? lol

The fishing line always looks a total mess but perhaps it's just the way I use it. But whatever secures it best for you I guess. Besides, it'll be cut out soon enough.

 

[tanksalot]

I usually just tie stuff with whatever dark thread I have handy, but it can be very fiddly, so I might try the zip ties in inconspicuous places

I would try superglue but I always wonder what happens if you change your mind? How easy it is to remove the glued plant without making a mess of it, or making a mess of the wood/stone it's glued to?

 

[StandbySetting]

Quite easy.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

You do know that wire ties come in colors, including black which I have used for close to 10 years now. I dislike using fishing line as it doesn't knot well, at least not for me. I tried rubber bands but they loses their elasticity and then break up into the tank before the plants attache firmly. Cotton thread fall apart as well, often before I would want it to.

The one other thing that works well and is very easy to work with is waxed dental floss. It must be waxed and should not be flavored. It will last for years under water. The one downside is in situations where there will be a gap between the floss and what it is tied around. This can happen if using a rock or uneven piece of wood. What happens is there will be a gap between the floss and the rock or wood that a fish may become entangled in and not be able to get free from. I have rescued a few expensive young plecos as well as some other fish over the years from this. One can encounter the same problems using thread as well.

The downside to the floss is it is white and even when it fades in brightness it still shows.

I vote for black nylon wire ties. I have them in a couple of sizes. And don't forget they come in a variety of lengths (the wider the longer) which can be ganged to achieve any desired length.

 

[hensonc4098]

I fancied trying superglue for java ferns and the likes, but will it work if you're attaching it to wet wood? As I get plantlets and would want to reattach them to the same piece that the "mother" plant came from.

 

[coldcazzie]

I fancied trying superglue for java ferns and the likes, but will it work if you're attaching it to wet wood? As I get plantlets and would want to reattach them to the same piece that the "mother" plant came from.

Yep just dry it a bit with a towel or bit of kitchen roll so it's just damp, then glue away