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Setting up a Tropical Fish Aquarium |
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Written by Greg Everett
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Sunday, 07 September 2008 10:40 |
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Decorating an aquarium is one of the most enjoyable parts of setting up a new tank. Different size tanks pose different problems. Ornaments and plants often must be rooted in gravel to keep from floating up. It is not uncommon to have to replant something several times. Then just when we think we have everything in place, poof, something again pops to the surface.
by GregEverett
Decorating an aquarium is one of the most enjoyable parts of setting up a new tank. Different size tanks pose different problems. Ornaments and plants often must be rooted in gravel to keep from floating up. It is not uncommon to have to replant something several times. Then just when we think we have everything in place, poof, something again pops to the surface.
Often when attempting to plant a beautiful live plant, it is easy to break or damage the tender roots of the plant. The challenge is to help the plant recover from the damage. If the plant can not recover, the roots will decay and the plant will die.
Lead aquarium plant weights - which are not actually made out of lead - can be used to prevent this problem. By wrapping the lead strip in a gentle frame around the plant roots, the lead weight can hold the plant down to the substrate until such time as the roots of the plant can adequately hold the plant naturally in the substrate.
Since we use the weighted frame to actually hold down the plant, this gives us a place to conveniently cover any roots that need to be covered with gravel or sand. This allows us to gently bury roots that should be covered but without the risk of breaking or damaging the roots.
It is best to not use metal because most metals will leach into the water and may be toxic.
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 recommends aquarium plants be a part of your aquarium hobby. |