DIY fern growing rack

[fishmosy]

If you grow various varieties of java fern (or other epiphytes), you will know that these plants often produce small plantlets that break off and float around your tank. Often these plantlets are too small to tie onto driftwood or are too much of a pain in the behind to do so, so float around until they settle somewhere. Not particularly good looking, and not useful if you have lots of plantlets produced regularly.

To solve this, i've adapted a bit of hardware commonly used in marine tanks, the frag shelf. These are easy to make from egg crate.

Details on how to make them can be found at the link below.

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=5164

I use Reva (by Starmaid) pegs to hold the plantlets in the rack until they are big enough to tie down or sell. I found they are the best as they have a steel section that weighs the peg down and holds it in place in the rack. These pegs eventually corrode away (something like 6 months) but by that time your plantlet should have grown, and these pegs are cheap. I haven't had any problems caused by the corrosion as I've kept this shelf in with RCS and with fish with no hassles ( theRCS help keep the plantlets free of algae, maximising growth) however I've never been game to try them with any other shrimp.

[Dean]

great idea mate, very practical and usefull.

i ended up pulling out all my java ferns from tanks because of this problem and never though to try something like this!

do the roots grow around the pegs or is it easy to get them off later?

[Loach]

Imight just try this! Thanks for posting. I was looking for a good way to effectively multiple my needle leaf java fern and this might just be the way :)

[fishmosy]

The roots can grow onto the pegs but it is really easy to peel them off.

I've found by the time the plants have grips the pegs enough to make it difficult, the peg has corroded and falls into two pieces thus making removal of the plant easy.

[lachie1998]

wow very good idea! a little like how they grow coral.

[BlueBolts]

Thanks for sharing, great post...

[Heavyd]

Nice DIY mate. Always appreciate a bit of innovation.

[Brado]

brilliant idea!

[bailey88]

Like everyone else is saying great idea

[fishmosy]

Thanks guys, just as an update, the brand of the pegs I use are Reva by Starmaid. I thought they were BIC but maybe the company changed hands??

[ineke]

Thanks Fishmosey,

I ended up attaching them on to smooth rocks with silastic bands until they straighten up and then attach them to something more permanent . Your rack probably would have been gentler. I will remember that for when I get plantlets. So superglue is OK to use then?

Cheers

Ineke

[Gbang]

haha genius mate!!! clearly with this and the plates...you are skf's ideas man :)