How do I keep the Plants secure in the gravel ?

[joker01]

I have a plain gravel bottom in my tank that started life with fake plants. After year of the fake plants I decided to convert to real about 11 months ago now.

The problem is I can't get the plants to stay in the gravel and despite using root tabs the plants are not producing any roots so they cannot anchor themselves. Some of the plants are producing roots midway up the stems probably due to the fact they are getting 99% of the nutrients from the water rather than the gravel.

Obviously the best option would be to remove the gravel and replace with soil and layer of gravel over the top, But that is a root (pardon the pun) I would rather not go down if I can help it

Could I use something to weigh them down or could I replant them into pots and bury the pots under the gravel ?

 

[DutchMuch]

soil + gravel = mess (or high risk mess)
Soil + sand = lower risk, more secure

You can use the plant weights to weigh them down. But really healthy plants will keep themselves in the substrate. My assumption is they aren't healthy.

 

[Zeus.]

Some of the plants are producing roots midway up the stems

Many do, just like plants in the garden dont grow to the shape we want, time to start trimming/replanting stems etc etc etc to get them looking there best 😉

 

[DutchMuch]

be also helpful if we could have a ID on the plants

 

[tam]

What sort of gravel and what sort of plants? Finer gravel works fairly well for plants. The bigger it gets the less it grips thin stems.

Your plants might be hungry if they aren't reaching the root tabs, so you could add a liquid fert for the water column.

 

[joker01]

Your'e assumption are right, They are not the healthiest of plants. These are my water parameters and maintenance regimes.

The tank is 120ltr,

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 40 -80 ppm
Hardness 14 Dgh
PH 7.0
Water Temp 23c
Filter flow rate of 800lph

Water flow consist of both inlet and outlet of the filter pipes on one end of the tank, The idea being that the water flows along the top so as to disturb the surface and then hits the far end then down along the bottom of the tank back to the inlet
in like circular motion.
No added Co2
I feed the plant using Aquarium Plant Foods starter kit feeding 10ml micro and 10ml macro on alternate days and a weekly 50% water change.

The gravel is about 5.0mm with TNC root tabs added planted to as close to the roots as i could.

Plants are,

Ludwigia various sorts
Crypts of various sorts
Ceratopterls cornuta
Java Moss
Amazon sword
and I can't think of the rest I do know that they all should be easy plants as that is what I specified when purchasing.

 

[joker01]

Forgot to mention the light is a Chihiros A901 set to its lowest setting and turned on for 8hrs a day and the tank is about 50cm deep

 

[Matt @ ScapeEasy]

Lead plant weights can be bought from most stores and can be used to hold plants down. I've also seen it done with milk bottle tops - cut a slot in then and push the roots through so it acts like the plastic bit of the bottom of fake plants.

 

[Edvet]

Could you post some pics, easier to help.

 

[zozo]

Super glue to the rescue!!. The gell version is best.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/7Pcs-Coral-Frags-and-Water-Plants-Moss-Fixed-to-Rock-Aquarium-Instant-Glue-NEW/132674309164?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648
🙂

Take a (small) rounded or flat pebble that is large and heavy enough to keep the plant down. Few tiny drops of glue on the pebble, push the plant on top wait a few seconds till the plant is attached. Than you still can apply some more glue to guide the roots over the pebble if needed. Than gently dig the plant into the gravel with pebble and all. Or just sink it down and leave it like that on top of the substrate, the roots will find their way down on its own. Usualy when the growing process starts the roots pul the plantbase down into the gravel. Your choice what you prefer. Anyway the plant will be long rooted before the glue lets go from the plant. Works like a charme..

 

[joker01]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I am going to concentrate on the health of the plants first to see if that helps before I attempt other methods. I thought the plants were not healthy because of the rooting issue rather than the other way round.

Pics as requested

 

[Edvet]

That big pleco is damaging your sword leaves, maybe others too, and rooting them out.
You need to give it veggies ( cucumber, eggplant etc) and some driftwood to "rasp" and hide under.

 

[joker01]

The Pleco gets fed algae wafers, Tomato, Cucumber and pepper. Apart from the Pleco doing its damage. Do the plants look in reasonable health considering I do not add any Co2 ? If they are in reasonable health I will now look into holdiing them down