Java Fern attaching...

[Xeider]

I recently (last friday) put some Java Ferns (Microsorium pteropus) in my 20-gallon tall tank. They are attached to the side of a pocketed tall pillar rock with rubber bands until they root. I tried to tie them in place with some fish line, but couldn’t get them to stay. What I am wondering is how long will it take for the Java Ferns to root themselves into place? I know that some of this will be related to lighting, CO2 levels and nutrients from fish. The current lighting is a 15-watt bulb from GE called aqua rays giving it 0.75 watts/gallon. I am adding no additional CO2 to the tank, and the only other plants are a small crypt and a medium size water sprite. Currently I have a low bio load from 5 zebra danios (soon to be 4 with one not looking so good) and 1 panda cory (soon to be 4 when the lfs gets some more in).

Any idea on how long it should take, or will it be very obvious when you look at it that its attached? I had been thinking of leaving the rubber bands on for about 2 weeks. Didn’t know if that was too long, or not enough time.

Thanks…

[beviking]

I used cotton thread to attach mine to some driftwood. The thread deteriorated and the fern was attached. It was around 2 weeks.

[cpr4cpu]

two weeks, that's great. my thread seems to last for months, and the java roots in about two months.
I have done a bunch of things dirrerently now, and fertilizing regularly, so maybe that will shorten the establish time for the anchor roots.

[beviking]

Yeah, the thread may have held on longer but I noticed one of my rainbows with a peice hanging out of its mouth:eek: . When I pulled on the loose end (ever so lightly) hanging from the driftwood, it pulled apart. I also attached J. moss to a cave "terrarium style" as described by wetmanNY at his site www.skepticalaquarist.com and that took hold at two weeks.
cpr4cpu, are you sure your thread is cotton thread and not cotton/nylon or some other mix? I'm no thread guru, but it took some looking and asking before I found cotton thread. 100's of other types and colors, 1 color (black) cotton thread. Maybe I should have tried somewhere other than Walmart?

[djlen]

I use rubber bands. It only takes a week or two to get them rooted into wood. Then I just cut the bands off.
It may take a bit longer with low light and no CO2. Everything happens slower with low light.
Len

[beviking]

Originally posted by djlen
...Everything happens slower with low light.
Len

Uh...that is, concerning plants anyway.;)