Help With My New Plants Please

[Smoothy]

I've ordered some plants from Ebay which I hope are coming later today ...

5 Amazon Swords
20 Spiralis Vallis
6 "bunches" of Java Fern
clump of Riccia

My question is about the Java Fern ... It has to be attached to wood or rocks right?

I have a big piece of Mopani in my tank right now and some slate ... but obviously I'll have quite a bit of Java Fern so don't want to attach it all to my one piece of wood ... is it possible to tie it with cotton or fishing line to some small pebble/rocks I have bought (they're very smooth) will it be ok and will the roots attach to them?

The Vallis and Swords will be ok straight into the sand right?

The Riccia I'm going to be tying to the slate hopefully

Hope someone can help me ... this is my first time trying real plants and really want it to go well

 

[loubega]

I've ordered some plants from Ebay which I hope are coming later today ...

5 Amazon Swords
20 Spiralis Vallis
6 "bunches" of Java Fern
clump of Riccia

My question is about the Java Fern ... It has to be attached to wood or rocks right?

I have a big piece of Mopani in my tank right now and some slate ... but obviously I'll have quite a bit of Java Fern so don't want to attach it all to my one piece of wood ... is it possible to tie it with cotton or fishing line to some small pebble/rocks I have bought (they're very smooth) will it be ok and will the roots attach to them?

The Vallis and Swords will be ok straight into the sand right?

The Riccia I'm going to be tying to the slate hopefully

Hope someone can help me ... this is my first time trying real plants and really want it to go well

i have my java fern attached to a bit of rock, even if you plant it clsoe to it the roots will reach out over time and attach itself to the rock or wood! I have used small elastic bands that degrade over time and are easy to remove once the roots have attached! i wouldnt use fishing line unless you tie it very tight. Cotton can work but it can come loose if it isnt tied on tight! IMO is best to experiment with what works for you...elastic bands as quick and easy but do look a bit odd untill the roots have grown round them!

re: swords and vallis, i have mine in sand and they have grown fine, i just supplement with daily fertliser and then added root tabs when i first planted them

hope it helps

 

[Smoothy]

Thanks for your reply

I don't have any elastic bands right now, so I'll have to go with the cotton I think, just hope it holds them and they don't go walkabout

Your tank looks great in your sig

 

[loubega]

Thanks for your reply

I don't have any elastic bands right now, so I'll have to go with the cotton I think, just hope it holds them and they don't go walkabout

Your tank looks great in your sig

cheers its changed abit since then.....got rid of a few swords and put in vallis and amazon frogbit....!

but you can see the java fern in the right of the picutre....very hardy plant....should look great. One bit of advive...the vallis grows v.quick..make sure you keep it trimmed or it will take overthe tank..

 

[Smoothy]

LOL ... ok I'll try to keep the Vallis in check

Would love to see an updated pic of your tank

 

[loubega]

ask and you shall recieve lol

this is about a month old..so plants are more established now..will have to put a few more up soon

and what it looked like before

got some newer one at home.....but at work so cant post them on here! my lilies have really sprouted so they look great also it looks less cluttered now!

hope it helps

 

[Smoothy]

WOW ...looks amazing!! thanks for posting the pics

Hopefully I can get mine looking as nice as yours in time

 

[loubega]

doesnt take much

just a little time and effort.....will add more photos on here for you tonight...

if you can get hold of any anubias from your LFS it looks great attached to wood or rock

what size tank do you have?

 

[Smoothy]

Thanks a lot ... I look forward to seeing them

Unfortunately my local aquatic places aren't very good for plants ... hence me having to order online, I purchased a few yesterday and have now found out they're non aquatic I have been looking at the Anubias though ... I like them

My tank is 125l ... just recently set up ... so cycling

 

[loubega]

nice! mine is a 125l too, you can do great stuff in a tank that size.

you ordered non-aquatic plants online? hmmmmm sounds pretty bad on their part! you should look to get tropica plants, they are always very good..

my anubias has grown very quickly and is a great foreground plant.....if you want some amazon frogbit (its afloating plant i have loads and loads) all you would have to do is pay postage....

anyway where did you order them online from?

 

[Smoothy]

Sorry ... I didn't make it clear

I had already ordered plants online (Ebay, the ones I mentioned above) but went to my LFS yesterday and bought a few plants to start me off until the ordered ones arrived ... they sold me 4 x Fountain Plants, not sure on the real name and a Malayan Aqua Fern.

I searched both and some sites say they can be kept in aquariums, others not ... but if there's any doubt they'll be coming out as I don't want them polluting my water.

Edit: I'll let you know about the Frogbit, thanks

 

[loubega]

ok, well most plants sold as aquatic and that are not...will be ok for a few days even weeks but will soon rot, so keep your eye out!

 

[Smoothy]

Will do ... thanks for your help

 

[loubega]

as promised

new pics

anubias

hope it helps

 

[Smoothy]

Thanks for the new pics ... looks great, really liking the Anubias

Looks a hell of a lot easier with those elastic bands

Wish me luck ... I'm attempting the Riccia tomorrow