Keeping plants planted.

[cmslick3]

Ok I have a 20 Gallon tank with 3 Cichlids and 2 Koi for the winter. I had several plants in there, most of which are now in pieces. Anyone have any suggestions on how to keep what I have left intact? I don't have any special substrate, just gravel, and the plants have anchors on them. I am quie sure it's the Koi tearing them up, so maybe I need to find something that they do not like.

Any suggestions appreciated

 

[Mgamer20o0]

maybe something like java moss. its they are being pulled up. other then get rid of the fish thats doing it there is nothing you can do. i also think that tank is over stocked. even if its just for the winter.

 

[mreman]

I've never kept Koi.

But cichlids, depending on the type, I have given up having planted plants with my african cichlids. They just love to dig so much. What I found was placing them in some kind of weighted pot and then putting that pot behind a rock or other decoration at least kept it where I wanted.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[Captain Hook]

My suggestion is to buy at least one, preferably two, bigger tanks. Koi are coldwater (no heater) and get huge. Most cichlids get quite large, like hard water, and are tropical (heater needed).

 

[khombre]

What kind of cichlids do you have? There are a lot of cichlids that will tear up plants even if they won't eat them. The Kois definitely have a part in tearing up your plants.

 

[girthvader]

Not much you can do but suck it up and get a different tank for them. But the plants are the least of your concerns in this case. Koi are PITAs in winter tanks. they're messy and need a ton of filtration. Add cichlids to the mess and your going to have to do daily 30% water changes just to keep water parameters decent. and koi like cold water as opposed to your cichlids, so I'm not sure how your going to work that one out.