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View Full Version : still here, still need some help

steelhumm
02-21-2009, 4:51 PM
first off I need to appologize to a few people that I have been talking to about buying plants... something bad happened..on top of my son getting hurt that has led to my absence recently.

I built the hood you see here, inside there are 4 48" tubes and two recessed spot lights that look like sun beams in the water when they are turned on... problem is that after this project was done I was cleaning my shop and thought I had everything unplugged...well.. I was wrong. I switched on the Power Planer by accident and self-amputated half of my pointer finger on my right hand. (have pics of that too if anyone is interested)

I got home from the hospital after two surgerys and find these plants floating...seems my wife wanted to surprise me so she went out and bought a few plants and a few mickey mouse platys too! No idea the name of the plants but they will not stay in the gravel...HELP!!! she has to do all the planting as my wound has a nasty infection (I'm diabetic as well..yippie!) any advice would be great!! I know I read a few posts here about DIY tricks to keep plants down but to be honest I only have a few hours a day where the demerol doesn't have me sleeping so I don't get much time on here to look around...plus not having use of my right hand SUCKS!

Thanks for any advice

PS this post typed by my wonderful wife :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/v10power/tankupdate2-21.jpg
jpappy789
02-21-2009, 4:55 PM
those plants are non-aquatic, but I can't think of the name off the top of my head.

Best to remove them anyways before they rot.
excuzzzeme
02-21-2009, 4:56 PM
I usually just use the gravel around the base or as a last resort a drop of superglue on the side of a stem and use a piece of gravel. You can also get lead wrap weights to anchor plant. They are very thin strips of lead that are malleable that you simply wrap around the base of a stem.
steelhumm
02-21-2009, 4:59 PM
those plants are non-aquatic, but I can't think of the name off the top of my head.

Best to remove them anyways before they rot.

really? they were bought from petsmart and came in a prepackaged tube from a major fish company..tetra? I believe.
steelhumm
02-21-2009, 5:01 PM
I usually just use the gravel around the base or as a last resort a drop of superglue on the side of a stem and use a piece of gravel. You can also get lead wrap weights to anchor plant. They are very thin strips of lead that are malleable that you simply wrap around the base of a stem.

Thanks..used the lead before but read where they aren't good for the stems or something like that...may use them again if need be.
DrNo
02-21-2009, 5:03 PM
those plants are non-aquatic, but I can't think of the name off the top of my head.

Best to remove them anyways before they rot.

Pappy is absolutely correct, but this one time I'm going to have to disagree with the advice. Sounds like the platys and the plants were meant as a sweet gesture from your wife in anticipation of your return home. As a married man, let me suggest that you work with them and keep them in your tank for at least a while :D

They will eventually rot but you have some time until this starts to happens. For now, keep a close eye on them to ensure they don't start fraying, disintegrating etc. If you're having a difficult time anchoring them, feel free to tie them to driftwood or rocks using fishline monofilament or even plastic zip-ties.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
steelhumm
02-21-2009, 5:14 PM
****! good advise...going to go that route for sure!