Securing Plastic Plants In A Bare-bottomed Aquarium.

[Channti]

I've just started a second tank, and I'd like to keep the bottom bare as I find the aquarium gravel and other substrates hard to clean and I've been told that bare-bottom is supposed to be very easy maintenance. Problem is, I'd like to keep plastic plants in the tank.

My issue is, I don't want to glue the plants to the bottom of the aquarium. Are there any other easy (and still visually appealing) ways to get the plastic plants to stay at the bottom of the tank?
Any suggestions?

I'm open to anything that doesn't involve putting in a substrate (I want it bare-bottomed) or gluing the plants to the bottom of the aquarium.

Thanks!

 

[stang1]

Are you planning on having any ornaments or bogwood/rocks?
I have a tank with the bottom bare and secure the plants down by using big cobbles and bogwood.

 

[Channti]

I was planning on maybe a couple small cave-like ornaments as it will be a tank for my guppies and fry, but not really much, so securing them with ornaments and rocks probably won't be much of an option. It was mostly going to be plastic plants. What kind of things could I use to weight down the plants? To be honest, I've never had to use glue of any kind in an aquarium... what kinds are fish-safe?

I saw someone who had secured the plants to terra-cotta pots and cut holes in the sides of them to make them into caves, but I'm rather lazy and really don't want to go through the effort of cutting and sanding terra-cotta pots....

 

[wetelbows]

I use suckers in my bare bottom tank to hold clumps of Java moss/fern in place & they stay put. I'm sure there must be artificial moss you can use to hide the sucker once the plants have been attached.

 

[Channti]

I use suckers in my bare bottom tank to hold clumps of Java moss/fern in place & they stay put. I'm sure there must be artificial moss you can use to hide the sucker once the plants have been attached.

I've looked _everywhere_ for those suction cups. I found them once, and used them to secure the airline to my aerator in my first tank, but I've only got two left from the package (didn't think to pick up more, now I'm kicking myself), and I don't have a credit card to be able to order them off of the internet. Those were definitely my first idea. I was going to modify a few of them and glue them to the bottom of plants.... I might have to take a trip out of town to find them again... (I live in a small town with three pet stores, and none of them carry the suction cups). Unfortunately, my Danio's are irritating the heck out of my guppies, so the sooner I get them into their own tank, the better, so time is somewhat of an issue right now.

 

[wetelbows]

I purchased mine in December from the local hardware shop, £1 for 12, window suckers with small plastic hooks for hanging Christmas decs & lights on. Removed the hooks & tied the plants on with some invisible thread. Job done.

LFS charged me £3 for 2, wont do that again!!!

 

[Channti]

I didn't even think about checking out the hardware store!
That'll be stop number one tomorrow.

So, I'll use the suction cups to attach the plants, but I'm going to need some aquarium-safe glue of some kind... Is hot-glue okay? or should I be using something else?

 

[wetelbows]

Invisible thread, 65p a spool from a Haberdashery or fine fishing line.

 

[Tolak]

I use cable ties & a small rock.