Hi All,

just been on you tube looking at how to attach java fern to rocks, I have some small plantlets and to get them to grow upwards I thought I could attach the with rubber bands until the grow towards the light. Several people have said they use super glue to attach their plants and mosses. Does anyone here use super glue? is it safe for shrimp . It would be a quick solution to fixing tiny plants to rocks but I don't want to introduce glue if it is not safe. What are your thoughts ( I know the purists would be cringing by now:redface-new:) For the moment they are looking OK with the rubber bands. Once they are growing straight I will attach themto bigger rocks or driftwood.

Cheers

Ineke

I have seen lots of methods.

Someone on here had a thread about how they used the light diffuser with pegs. This method is by far the fastest way IMO of dealing with lots or plantlets although I'm not too sure if I would do this in a higher quality shrimp tank as the springs on the pegs do rust. It's fine with fish and cherries though.

Super glue is pretty good although if you use too much of it it will turn white underwater and be quite noticeable until its grown over.

Cotton thread is a favourite of mine. It's very fast to tie up, doesn't look too unsightly in the water if you use a dark green or black and it deteriorates after a while so by the time the plant has attached itself the thread is pretty much gone.

Also have seen polyester thread used in place of cotton. This wont deteriorate and will remain around for longer if its a moss that doesn't attach very fast.

Fishing line has similar properties to polyester thread.

I have probably missed a few methods but these are the ones I have seen to be popular or like to use myself.

Edit: that 'Someone' I mentioned is Fishmosy. They have kindly linked their thread below :)

Here is my DIY thread for the fern rack.

http://www.shrimpkeepersforum.com/forum/showthread.php/319-DIY-fern-growing-rack

Once the ferns are big enough to tie onto something I prefer superglue, cotton thread or cable ties/zip ties for larger specimens.

Thanks Blindfisherman and Fishmosey. I ended up using silastic bands for the moment until they grow straight, I tried tying with thread but just couldn't get it to stay on the smooth rocks. I don't want to leave them on the smooth rocks so don't mind if they don't attach. I must say that they look quite nice in a group with the rock showing might be nice to have one of the cubes with just java fern on the little rocks- mmm will think about that one. For now they are just plonked in the tank until they are straight.

Cheers

Ineke

@ fishmosy... still using the cotton thread after loosing that adult female pepp that tangled itself up?

I like the rack but not the rusting pegs. I use the same rack... litteraly! it came from him but I just jam them in with a piece of jap mat and works well.

I too am a sceptic when it comes to super glue.

I tie all my rocks with 40lb mono as simple physics explains... larger surface less pressure = doesn't restrict as much circulation in the rhyzome if tied tight. and it's easier to cut out later. I have also been experimenting on plantlets by tying a loose loop onto them, then using a main line thread the loop. this way you can tie the main line as tight as you can get it onto a rock / wood without restricting the circulation at all and it doesn't fall off no matter what you do... looks like it's working too.

rubber bands will deteriorate faster then the plant can attach itself so a waste of time really.

this way you can tie the main line as tight as you can get it onto a rock / wood without restricting the circulation at all and it doesn't fall off no matter what you do... looks like it's working too.

I use this exact method for cotton thread. Doesn't take long if you leave the tail on the initial knot and then tie it off there.

But as you said, any threads or lines aren't the best for catfish as they tend to graze along the wood or rock and get caught.

I will only be keeping these with the bands on for a week or so just until they straighten up. In future I will suss out some fishing line (THICK) My trouble was that the roots are growing up not hanging so I thought this would be ok. I am getting some mosses and when they arrive I will look at releasing the ferns and tying them on to their final rock/wood once I get some inspiration into scaping the nanos. OOOH so much too learn!

Cheers

Ineke

@ fishmosy... still using the cotton thread after loosing that adult female pepp that tangled itself up?

Only for tanks where I don't have catfish. Alternatively I tie the plant onto the timber, then glue the threads (either side of the plant) to the timber, then trim the thread that goes around the timber. This leaves short bits of thread that hold the plant down and nothing for catfish to get tangled in.

That sounds the way for me tie the thread to the plant and glue the thread- I like that.

Cheers

Only for tanks where I don't have catfish. Alternatively I tie the plant onto the timber' date=' then glue the threads (either side of the plant) to the timber, then trim the thread that goes around the timber. This leaves short bits of thread that hold the plant down and nothing for catfish to get tangled in.[/quote']

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I've been using Loctite super glue gel for years now without any problems or deaths, being a gel it doesn't run or make a mess and a little goes a long way.

Just make sure that you pat dry the two surfaces first and give it a minute or two to dry before putting it into the tank

Thanks for that Spizz. I seem to be all thumbs when trying to tie the thread

I've been using Loctite super glue gel for years now without any problems or deaths' date=' being a gel it doesn't run or make a mess and a little goes a long way.

Just make sure that you pat dry the two surfaces first and give it a minute or two to dry before putting it into the tank[/quote']

Good tip mate. The liquid superglue does make a bit of a mess sometimes if your not careful. Not to mention sticking your fingers together.....

Also note superglue (dry) turns white underwater so is very noticeable.