I recently got some new shrimp and with them came some Subwassertang which I am eager to keep alive and thriving. I was wondering is the subwassertang better off being tied onto something like timber or rock? Or should I let it free float/ sink and settle where it likes? Or should I sandwhich it between sheets of stainless steal mesh?

The last time I had subwassertang I failed miserably with it (thanks largely I think to dreaded Ramshorn snails and possibly the odd bristlenose), so this time I really want to give it a decent chance to grow.

If tied to timber or a rock am I better off using cotton or fine fishing line to tie with?

I am guessing that it is best grown in a tank with gentle filteration. The two tanks that have the gentlest filters also have pretty extreme snail populations along with of course shrimp. I know I can rule out as future homes my cory tank since they are destroyers of all things moss and moss like and probably any tank housing bristlenoses.

7 minutes ago, Baccus said:

. I was wondering is the subwassertang better off being tied onto something like timber or rock? Or should I let it free float/ sink and settle where it likes? Or should I sandwhich it between sheets of stainless steal mesh?

Any of those options are valid Baccus, maybe except for the steel mesh, the holes in the mesh might be too small. 

The reason you'd choose to tie it down over free float is ... if it gets tangled in other moss or plants, it's a real pain to separate. If your tank is relatively clear of other plants,  then free float the 'tang is simplest. 

I have it tied to wood and love it. When it grows out it makes a nice bush/tree effect.

i have in one tank it tied to a rock and in another tank its not tied down at all and rested on the substrate that its seemed to have attached itself too

Until recently I have used Subwassertang almost exclusively in all my tanks. It is fine on SS mesh and grows into a round bush. I grow it on large matrix balls, tie it to driftwood and rocks. All my tanks are low tech but the Subwassertang grows so well I have to regularly trim it and have a bucket full of it outside. I use fine fishing line to tie it down well.mr

Edited June 18, 20214 yr by ineke

Thanks everyone.

Ineke I love the last tree pic you posted, I have something similar in my cory tank that the Riffle shrimp hangout in all the time.

I am mainly worried that the subwassertang wont end up like the java moss and constantly being broken loose and clogging the intakes of my fitlers.

I don't have too much issue with it breaking free but I do tie it down well plus as soon as it gets bushy I gently tease it and any loose pieces will come out. I have a reasonable air movement in my tanks too.

Subwassertang is pretty easy going in terms of lighting, water parameters and current. Like mosses it can take up to a month to get used to the water its in before growing much so keep the conditions stable and if it lasts for a month it will go bunta. It will grow attached or free floating. It grows happiest attached to wood or with a little gravel sprinkled on it to weigh it down on the substrate so long as you don't disturb it regularly. Bristlenoses, cory's and snails are only a problem if there's nothing else for them to do :)

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My favourite tank plant. Unused to have mine tied to SS mesh. Had to keep trimming with my bright lights.