java fern and coconut

[musho3210]

I know how java fern doesnt like to be rooted to the ground and would rather be on driftwood, but would i be able to stick them on coconut shells? The hairy things on the coconut shells could help ancor it. Is it possible?

Tanks is 20 gallons
0 am
0 nitrite
15 nitrate
15 watts NO output fluorescent light
already has a nice bed of java moss on the gravel.

4 zebra danios
2 bolivian rams
3 ghost shrimp

[snickle]

Tying it to coconut shell should be no problem. Heck it will root to a rock it you tie it down for a month.

[musho3210]

could i use a rubber band? Its not easy tying something to these shells....

[snickle]

Latex is not great in the tank. Just wrap the shell and the plant a few time in thread. The thread will dissolve after the plant is attached

[musho3210]

just a normal cotton thread?

[snickle]

Yep. I nice brown should be close to invisible on the shell.

just a normal cotton thread?

[musho3210]

ok. Final question, the place where i buy my plants have a lot of snails in the tank, should i rinse the fern in anything before introduction to the tank? I do not want snails.

[Mgamer20o0]

i use fish line just because i have it.

[skeletonhand]

ok. Final question, the place where i buy my plants have a lot of snails in the tank, should i rinse the fern in anything before introduction to the tank? I do not want snails.


Found this:

Alum Dip

The Alum dip is more for killing microscopic bugs. Use at 1 tablespoon per gallon of water. Soak the plant for at least an hour, longer soaks of 2 to 3 days are needed to kill snails and snail eggs. For snails and snails eggs a 2-3 hour soak in a stronger solution of 3 tablespoons per gallon of water is a better choice. Alum isn't nearly as effective as the prior two for killing algae. Alum is aluminum sulfate and Alum USP can be obtained from a compounding pharmacy or grocery stores. (It's usually with the spices, herbs and pickling supplies).

[magakitty]

Are snails necessarily a bad thing? I was thinking about getting some for the planned community tank.

[skeletonhand]

No, snails aren't bad if kept in check. They can be quite useful in judging whether one is over feeding or not. They may munch on a plant or two, but nothing serious(also depends on the type of snail). I enjoy having snails in my tank. They help clean up the tight spots where other algae eaters can't go. Some people just don't like 'em.

[dixienut]

some snails, like ponds, will eat plants.. but mts, and ramshorns only eat dead plant matter.. those are the two i have.

[musho3210]

No, snails aren't bad if kept in check. They can be quite useful in judging whether one is over feeding or not. They may munch on a plant or two, but nothing serious(also depends on the type of snail). I enjoy having snails in my tank. They help clean up the tight spots where other algae eaters can't go. Some people just don't like 'em.

thats me, i dont like snails at all.

I read about some bleach and water solution, how about a salt and water solution? A high amount of salt should be deadly to the snails.

[Waps]

i use fish line just because i have it.
Fishing line is good for this

[magakitty]

LOL - At first glance I thought you meant that fishing line was good for getting rid of snails :rolleyes: Silly me!

[musho3210]

stick some lettuce, put it on the fishing line, wait for a bite, then reel in :) Then take a picture of you holding a snail you caught, yay!

[musho3210]

ok i got some fern today, i got it from a different dealer that doesnt have snails, its a nice green clump. 7.95. They had one already growing on a rock for 38.99 :O (rip off)

[magakitty]

:eek: ouch - 40 bucks (almost?) - went to a fish club auction last night and they had some beautiful BIG Java Ferns that went for next to nothing! I bought a couple with lots of babies on the leaves. and a bunch of other stuff - I'm a sucker for auctions :huh: oh - and I bought snails :rolleyes: lovely zebra apple snails.... :cool2:

[musho3210]

well the normal java fern that was in the gravel were only 7.99, but the ones that were already attatched to a rock were 38.99. I got the one that was in the gravel since i dont need a rock cause im using a coconut :). Also whats even better is the person messed up and accidentally pulled 2 ferns that seemed like they were conected and i only had to pay for one :D. Its also good since i have 2 coconut caves so it will be even now. I love it when these mess-ups happen.

Well i hope i never have to tie one down again, its not easy when the plant keeps drooping down on you and the string wont stay on the coconut.....

[musho3210]

aprox how long does it take for the fern to ancor?