Setting up a live aquarium with plants
submitted: Aug 28th 2008 |
by: GregEverett |
Total views: 1 |
Word Count: 264 |
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The setting up of an aquarium is both a fascinatng and patience-taxing job. The greater the depth of the water, the more troublesome is the task. The boyancy of the plants time and again frustrate our efforts. Usually after several futile attempts, a root selection seems to be successfully pushed down into the sand. Before one can follow through with the rest, the plant becomes foot-loose, gracefully arising to the top, necessitating starting all over again.
Frequently I would have beautiful plant specimens, well rooted, perfect in every way, but in the process of planting, quite often from one to two-thirds of the roots would either be destroyed, or so badly bruised, they would eventually rot. Resulting in weeks to overcome the shock.
One of the best tools is the common aquarium plant weight. Commonly called lead weights, they are not actually made out of lead, but rather a tin composite. These weights can be gently wrapped around the roots of a plant and pressed into the gravel thus holding the plant in place.
The beauty of using a plant weight to hold the plant is that the weight frame also provides a place that allows us to gently cover the parts of any roots that should be covered in gravel. Thus we can gently cover roots without worry about damaging or bruising the roots.
Lead weights are not actually lead, because lead is toxic and would release toxins into the water.
Plant roots grow much more naturally when spread out and protected this way, benefiting the plants and the aquarium.
About the Author
About the author: Greg Everett is an avid aquarist active in the hobby, you can read more about Aquatic Plant here.
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