Just Had My First Attempt At Planting A Tank.

[marieukxx]

So I got some plants today that were ok in low tech aquariums. I seperated them and untangled the stems and washed thoroughly then tyrimmed the stems and plnated them in the tank. Some came out a few times is that ok? And when I added the water in a few floated out so I popped them back in.

I have fine gravel, will they take root eventually and stay? The small ones at the front were fine it's just the tall ones.

How do I gravel vac next time? I usually have a good old dig around and turn over the gravel.

 

[ron4sum1]

So I got some plants today that were ok in low tech aquariums. I seperated them and untangled the stems and washed thoroughly then tyrimmed the stems and plnated them in the tank. Some came out a few times is that ok? And when I added the water in a few floated out so I popped them back in.

I have fine gravel, will they take root eventually and stay? The small ones at the front were fine it's just the tall ones.

How do I gravel vac next time? I usually have a good old dig around and turn over the gravel.

If it's a really fine gravel, they should adhere. You can start doing some circular motion by using your siphon on top of the sand (don't let the siphon touch the sand). This would raise the dirt, and you can start siphoning it. No touching ! Or you'll end up with a "bald" aquarium !

 

[fluttermoth]

It's quite usual for new plants to insist they want to float. You could pile a few pebbles arond the bottoms to keep them down until they've rooted.

Gravel vac in the same way you've always done, except where the plants are; in those areas, just do your best to hoover up the c**p whilst not disturbing them, so only do the surface of the gravel; don't dig too deep.

 

[marieukxx]

It's quite usual for new plants to insist they want to float. You could pile a few pebbles arond the bottoms to keep them down until they've rooted.

Gravel vac in the same way you've always done, except where the plants are; in those areas, just do your best to hoover up the c**p whilst not disturbing them, so only do the surface of the gravel; don't dig too deep.

Thanks I've piled up the gravel a bit. I'm quite pleased with it so far, I'm just waiting on a nice piece of bogwood with a plant attached to it I bought to finish it off. It's my male Bettas tank I've planted. I wanted it more natural for him. I got some long ones that said they are best for the back and some small ones that spread out on the gravel.

 

[marieukxx]

Another question, if the plants get to overgrown can I just cut them with a pair of ordinary scissors? Like cut off excess stems? Thanks

 

[EchiroLicious]

I think all type of scissors can be used as soon as it is a stainless steel scissors. But keep in mind! wash the scissors cleanly before and after used. There might have some substances such as oil or others that can give toxic to the fish..