New Trick for Plants

[Rivermud76]

To begin with, I had a large number of floating plants that I use for breeders. I took extremely large plastic plants from the lfs and cut them down into several smaller plants that I tied into thick bunches with fishing line so that they looked nice and didn't show the plastic branches. This however isn't the tip.

I decided having randomly floating plants looked kinda gaudy so I was trying to figure out a new way to make a foundation for them that would hold them on the bottom (or side) without the aid of lead weights or gravel. Anyway, one day I was doing work on our shower installing shampoo holders with suction cups. I thought well heck I might be able to use a suction cup for the plants. I went to Fred Meyers and found exactly what I was looking for .. !/2 inch radius suction cups. The problem was they had metal hooks attatched. No problem, I removed the hooks and then had to figure out how to attatch them to my plants without cutting the cup. I decided on 14lb micro-fibre braided fishing line. I now have my plants attatched to the rear wall of the tank with these suction cups that you cannot see through the foliage and they look amazing. I also thought this would be a fantastic idea for people with cichlids who like to rearrange the tank. Remove the plastic anchor. Use fishing line to tie around the knob of the suction cup. Then tie it around the base of the roots of the fake plants. Viola a plant that stays put and doesn't require the deep deep gravel to hold the anchor in place.

I'll try to get a pic posted of these plants and the suction cups

 

[Ginger726]

That is pretty clever, Thank you for sharing that information. I will be sure to give it a try and to tell my friends. Try to work on the pictures, I would like to see them.

 

[Rivermud76]

Will do. I have had a few issues with my digital camera but I will try to set something up for my cheapo webcam. Should be later today.

 

[Woody]

I also thought this would be a fantastic idea for people with cichlids who like to rearrange the tank.

This is a great idea.

It might also be handy for placing plants behind rock caves. Ever since I awoke to a leaking tank last year after my Jack Dempseys knocked a rock against the glass and made a huge crack in it, I've made sure to always place something to serve as a "bumper" between rocks and glass. I'm storing your idea away for future use.

 

[Rivermud76]

Well, here is my first try at a pic its a simple close-up image.. My GF is in a hurry so I will add others later

 

[drobbins27]

Thats awesome my friend! Please post more, I am very interesting in testing out your ideas in my tank.

 

[Rivermud76]

here is another view of the suction cup

 

[Rivermud76]

This is the same plant hung on the back glass of my GF's aquarium.

 

[Rivermud76]

Really sorry about the sucky picture quality. don't have a decent cam to use right now

 

[havent_you_heard]

yeah...i got a 30 gallon saltwater...its been runnin for like 2 and a half months now and it had 3 damsels in it and only one like survived and like snails and little crabby things. so i went out and got a 35 dollar fish a week ago and like it died...yeah sucks....and i also had a shrimp living in there for like 3 weeks...and yeah it died.....and the claws came off..like before it died...is that normal....anyways what do u guys think is going on with my tank...and is bubbles at the top of the water on the sides normal ???looks like damn soap bubbles.....grr im so dumb