Pelia, does it really sink?

[budrecki]

Before I spend a ridiculus amount fo money on aquabid, does this stuff really sink?

[Roan Art]

Not really. It's very much like extremely large riccia.

You really need to tie it down to something and it will grow and "creep" like java moss.

Even when you do tie it down, it will try to float when you do a water change :) That only lasts for a day or two at most and it doesn't look that bad half-floating.

Also, when you tie it, try not to damage it, ie: don't tie it too tight and definitely do not staple it. If you tie it tight or injure the "leaves" at all, it will die in that area and takes quite a while for new growth to cover the dead spots.

The price IS rediculous, isn't it? I was lucky and got a huge handful from a guy on AquaBid who only lived 30mins away. He hasn't had any up for auction since. I'm watching for him ;)

Roan

[Larissa]

I have pelia in my tank, and in my experience it does sink to the bottom, but as Roan mentioned, it does get stirred up when I do water changes. I will say that it is a really pretty plant to me.

[budrecki]

So I just received my gold-plated pelia in the mail :rant2:
It should be gold plated for what I paid

How the heck an I supposed to tie this stuff down? There are a few long pieces, but mostly it's 1cm, and it's very delicate. The "leaves" seem to thick to grow between plastic craft grid. And fishing line doesn't seem plausible either.

[Larissa]

It is very fragile. If you figure out a way to tie it down without tearing it up, let me know. Mine is just sitting on the bottom of my tank but it is starting to adhere to the gravel where it is sitting.

[Roan Art]

Couple of things you can do:

Take one of the pieces and let it float at the top of your tank near the light. It will grow and form a bigger piece. Or just float all of it and let it grow.

Take a piece and put it in a bowl with water. Cover with another bowl and put it in indirect sun/light. It will grow and make a bigger piece.

IMO I'd try one of those methods to grow some before I'd tie to to driftwood. I've had it totally die on me after doing that, and I've had only a small section die and regrow.

You can try using a hairnet to anchor it to driftwood, but IME hairnets are dangerous in a fish tank. Your fish can get caught in it. You could try this in a tank that has no fish in it.

I would not try to use plastic mesh at all. The leaves are too big.

And yes, I do have some pellia that "sunk". It's all under the vallisneria and I forgot about it when I originally posted. I also have some that has grown almost all over a piece of large driftwood in my tank. IF you can get it going, it's great stuff. Just very delicate.

My 2 cents
Roan