Hi I am new here and question:)

kalabreeze

kalabreeze

AC Members
Sep 11, 2008
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Hello from a new addict, with quickly developing multiple tank syndrom:) It all started not long ago, when my 6 years old son asked for a fish tank for his birthday. Hi picked 2 gallon aquarium kit at Petco, they gave us 3 zebra Danio for cycling. When I came home and got on the computer to read about fish keeping (should have done it before going to the store, duh) I found out that there isn't really any fish that we can keep in 2 gallon tank. Back to the store we went and got Eclipse 6..and then Eclipse 12...and now I am waiting to get even larger one for my B-day:)

I was happy to find this forum, what I wonderful place for a newbie like me. It helped me a lot during cycling pains, and I am proud to say that our first 3 zebra danio are still alive and happy!

I just finished cycling Eclipse 12 and put in some aquatic plants after seeing beautiful planted tanks some of you have on here. The problem is that every morning I find some plants uprooted and floating on the top. I think my 3 apple snails might have something to do with it or maybe pump current. So, how do you keep your plants stay put in the gravel?

It is Eclipse 12. Fish: 3 Albino Corys, 1 Dwarf Gourami, 1 Bloodfin Tetra, 3 Apple Snails, 2 Ghost Shrimp. Planted with hardy low to medium light plants. Substrat-river gravel. Plants: java fern, java moss (atached to driftwood) Pennyworth (that one stays in the gravel nicely) then Anaharis, Water Wisteria, Blue Bell, Dwarf Onion, Dwarf Saggitaria. I also got some dwarf grass yesterday but this morning my Wisteria is floating again:( I am ready to give up!:wall:
 
You can look for plant weights which you can use to hold the plants down. Also, the Anacharis would be fine left floating and the Gourami would appreciate it.

:welcome: to AC! Glad to have you here!
 
I usually scoop up a bit of the substrate and pour it over the newly planted plants leaves. A few pieces will rest on top of the leaves and hold the plant down till roots develop. After about a week the gravel or sand will fall off or get knocked off by the fish. This system has worked good for me. I recently planted about 20 stalks of Moneywort and only had a few floaters over the next few days.
 
Well, you should probably look up each species and find out how it likes to grow the best. As was already mentioned, anacharis is a great floater plant. Java fern, like java moss, will attach itself to rocks and driftwood if you give it a little help (tie it on with fishing line or cotton thread to start).

And the others ... um, never had 'em so I don't really know. But, the general idea is to try not to fight mother nature too much. It should be pretty easy to look up most all those plants. Just google them.
 
The anacharis does not like to be buried in substrate. Best to float it. Unfortunately it will block some light from getting to the other plants unless the current pushes it to a corner and out of the way.
The Eclipse 12 has pretty low lighting so some of those plants will struggle to make it, especially the dwarf sag.
The java fern and moss should do OK for you. Good luck and I hope you prove me wrong with the dwarf sag.
 
Thank you for all your replies. I did the research before I bought the plants, I spend couple hours every day reading about fresh water aquariums, I never thought this hobby was so addicting:)
Yes, think I made mistake with dwarf sagittaria, you are right gmh:). Some leaves started turning yellow. Rest of the plants are doing great, I attached java fern and java moss to the driftwood with the fishing line. Pennyworth is growing new leaves every day, I really like this one. Only problem I have with stem plants. I planted them again, poured some rock over, hope they stay.
I googled plant weights, mainly they are made out of lead and even though it says "safe" on the package I do not want to stick it in the fish tank then on Aqua Botanic website I found soft pliable plastic plant ahchors. This might work.
I just want some easy, low light plants to grow in my son's aquarium, to make it nicer and more natural for the fish. My next, BIGGER, aquarium will be carefully planned from the begining:)
 
The lead weights damage the stems anyway, You can always use pool filter sand, I love the stuff, sinks quickly, and easy on plants roots. I mixed about .5'' with soil for my bottom and the plants love it. and I really like the sand look:)
 
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