Faking It

OohFeeshy · Jul 25, 2010

There's plenty of 'bullet proof' plants around, you *can* do it the fancy techy way if you want but there's no reason you have to. Moss, crypts, anubias, java fern, for example- none of them need much light or additional fertilizers. The crypts go in the substrate, the rest are tied to wood or rock. They also have the bonus of being generally fish proof too.

CrystalClear16 · Jul 25, 2010

Fish proof eyyy? Even clown loach proof?

I think you guys may have convinced me to give real plants a shot though

What would you recommend for me to try and attach to slate? And which plant would be best to attach to bogwood?

Amunet · Jul 25, 2010

Photos of your tank would really help ppl give you better advice so they can see how things are set up

You could def for for the anubias on the bogwood if you wanted.
I have that in my 125gal tank and they look great. My anubias seem to really benefit from a shot of flourish excel every once in a while.

Crypts are great for planting in the gravel. However, they will easily lose their leaves if disturbed too much. Their leaves will melt away and it creates a HUGE mess. The plant usually isn't dead though and will grow back.

I've always had a lot of luck with amazon swords. They do need decent light, but other than that, they're super easy and look great.

OohFeeshy · Jul 25, 2010

CrystalClear16 said:
Fish proof eyyy? Even clown loach proof?

I think you guys may have convinced me to give real plants a shot though What would you recommend for me to try and attach to slate? And which plant would be best to attach to bogwood?

With active bottom dwellers like loaches you might get away with crypts in pots, probably best not to put anything directly into the substrate because you'll forever be replanting.

Slate, probably moss- I tie it on with fishing line, I know some people use netting or hair nets but I've had fish trapped by them before which isn't good. On bogwood, anubias or java fern.

If you can get hold of a cheap Nymphaea (lilly) bulb, that could work- mine grew like crazy without anything extra in the tank, and it sends out deep enough roots that loaches or whatever shouldn't disturb it.