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Post by angelminx on Sept 3, 2014 16:50:48 GMT -5
Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on attaching plants to wood/rocks. Usually they are small enough that I just use a rubber band to hold the plant in place, and once it's broken down, the plant has affixed itself and I can remove the broken rubber band from the tank. I have some cotton thread, but have never tried that method before--do you just wind it, or tie it in place? I've got a large piece of driftwood that is both wide and tall "in one chunk" that I would like to attach an Anubias coffeefoilia to, but it is too thick to employ the rubber band method; and I don't have a staple gun. The same question goes for large clunky rocks.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Sept 3, 2014 18:22:19 GMT -5
Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on attaching plants to wood/rocks. Usually they are small enough that I just use a rubber band to hold the plant in place, and once it's broken down, the plant has affixed itself and I can remove the broken rubber band from the tank. I have some cotton thread, but have never tried that method before--do you just wind it, or tie it in place? I've got a large piece of driftwood that is both wide and tall "in one chunk" that I would like to attach an Anubias coffeefoilia to, but it is too thick to employ the rubber band method; and I don't have a staple gun. The same question goes for large clunky rocks. I have used rubber bands and the thin metal wiring. Maybe the wiring, but I would think string would work fine. It's going to look nice  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 2:13:03 GMT -5
Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on attaching plants to wood/rocks. Usually they are small enough that I just use a rubber band to hold the plant in place, and once it's broken down, the plant has affixed itself and I can remove the broken rubber band from the tank. I have some cotton thread, but have never tried that method before--do you just wind it, or tie it in place? I've got a large piece of driftwood that is both wide and tall "in one chunk" that I would like to attach an Anubias coffeefoilia to, but it is too thick to employ the rubber band method; and I don't have a staple gun. The same question goes for large clunky rocks. I have used rubber bands and the thin metal wiring. Maybe the wiring, but I would think string would work fine. It's going to look nice I know people use fishing line. I've used what they call 'invisible' thread from a sewing store which is basically fishing line (not sure if they still make it). A little tricky to tie off so it doesn't slip open, but you can also carefully singe the knots with a cigarette lighter which will fuse it together. You can cut if off once the plant attaches. Yes, it will look awesome, be sure and post pics! |
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Post by parker002 on Sept 4, 2014 9:50:44 GMT -5
Fishing line doesn't tie well and often stretches, so it doesn't always allow for attachment.
I've tried fishing line, cotton thread (which dissolves just like any other organic substance), push pins, and pretty much everything else. None of them were foolproof. I always ended up with a few plants getting loose and floating around the tank.
The absolute BEST method for attached Anubias, Java Fern, and other slow-growing rhizomes is SUPER GLUE.
Cryanoacrylate bonds instantly when exposed to moisture. When you expose it to air, it draws humidity from the air and dries in 30-40 seconds. If you touch it with a drop of water it dries instantly.
Take your rock or drift wood, dip it in water. Float your plants so that they are wet. Then apply a bead or two of super glue (not too much or too thick) and then stick the plant on the rock. It bonds instantly and your plants are really stuck there. Give it a few minutes to fully dry and it's safe to put back in your tank.
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Post by Carl on Sept 4, 2014 10:31:21 GMT -5
This is a great idea! I had never thought about this, so it is cool to learn some new ideas!  I had usually just tied the roots/tubers down and added a rock that might further weigh down the roots, then allowed for time for the roots to attach on their own, hopefully before the rock shifted or the "tie down" loosened or gave way; HOWEVER your method definitely seems to be much more fool proof and less hassle too Carl |
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Post by parker002 on Sept 4, 2014 13:12:46 GMT -5
Yeah, cryanoacrylate isn't water soluble, so it's pretty safe for aquarium use. As long as you don't use too much (it can actually burn the plants, damaging them), it's pretty much guaranteed to work and keep them attached forever.
We've done large Java Fern arrangements with large rocks and dozens of rhizomes in under 5 minutes.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 15:07:57 GMT -5
The absolute BEST method for attached Anubias, Java Fern, and other slow-growing rhizomes is SUPER GLUE. Cryanoacrylate bonds instantly when exposed to moisture. When you expose it to air, it draws humidity from the air and dries in 30-40 seconds. If you touch it with a drop of water it dries instantly. Take your rock or drift wood, dip it in water. Float your plants so that they are wet. Then apply a bead or two of super glue (not too much or too thick) and then stick the plant on the rock. It bonds instantly and your plants are really stuck there. Give it a few minutes to fully dry and it's safe to put back in your tank. All these other things we try and I'm thinking 'too bad you can't just glue the darn thing'! Awesome, LOVE IT. Thanks for that |
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Post by rusalka on Jan 4, 2015 2:55:19 GMT -5
Did I get it right, you apply glue to the WET driftwood? Sounds weird, I always thought glue doesn't stick to wet or oily.
Yesterday I received plants that I ordered on e-bay and there are some anubias among them. I also have a Texas limestone, very beautifully shaped. I resist the temptation to attach the plants there, I thought I need to ask first. Is it a good idea, anubias on a limestone in a community tank? I have one Synodontis and Gourami there, I just lost Bolivian Ram.
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Post by parker002 on Jan 5, 2015 12:20:49 GMT -5
I generally don't use limestone at all in a fish tank because it is water soluble and will affect your alkalinity over time.
As for application of the glue, it won't stick to WATER but it will stick to wet wood, rock, or plants. Just make sure there's no actual water droplets in the way.
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