Java Fern

125gJoe · 10-10-2003, 1:39 PM

When attaching Java Ferns, do most tie them or use rubber bands? Could old rubber bands harm the water column?

valerie · 10-10-2003, 1:49 PM

I use mostly fishing line but have used ruber bands before in my african tank. I prefer the fishing line as after a while you don't see it and i found rubber bands break down over time. I never noticed it harming my water but i did see my fish tryingto eat little bits of rubber bands taht were broken off and floating around my gravel.

I would rather use fishing line them riskingmy fish accidnetally eating or getting stuck in rubber bands.

mogurnda · 10-10-2003, 2:09 PM

I've always used rubber bands. The fern is usually well anchored by the time they fall apart. They're a bit uglier, but there's always a pile of them around.

OrionGirl · 10-10-2003, 2:10 PM

I use plastic twist-ties. They are quite visible, but easy to remove. Just make sure they don't have the metal in the middle.

Slappy*McFish · 10-10-2003, 3:26 PM

I just use black thread....tie it and forget it.

superjohnny · 10-10-2003, 6:08 PM

Cotton thread will dissolve over time. I made the mistake of using a nylon/cotton thread so I had to pull out the driftwood and trim it off. Not a big deal anyway.

Booswalia · 10-11-2003, 12:35 PM

I just placed a little rock on top of it and it eventually attached itself to the gravel. Now I have a big clump of it growing accross the gravel.

kveeti · 10-11-2003, 1:43 PM

I have a java fern question, so I'll use Joe's thread... My (original) java fern is growing very well, it was attached to a rock in a corner and the roots go down and it is really nice to see them under the gravel against the glass.

Anyhow, my question is, my fern is creeping along growing in one direction but not the other, the other is just creeping along with no leaf growth. Isn't that strange, or do they just grow in one direction? I guess I'll cut off the bare branch in that direction as if I was dividing it and see if that encourages it.

125gJoe · 10-15-2003, 11:26 AM

kveeti,
I'm not sure but if you cut it in the direction it's headed, then maybe the other side would start growing... (?)

TKOS · 10-15-2003, 11:56 AM

I use a nice dark green cotton thread to tie it to drift wood in my 1 tank and in the other I just stuck it in the gravel.