Matt LeBaron January 24, 2012 January 24, 2012 So I recently got some track lighting and put it over my fish tank to add some specific light to different areas of my tank using LED PAR38 bulbs. Working well so far but on a whim I decided to get a LED bulb that is for growing plants and move my mangroves from my sump to my main tank as I figured that the roots would make good tail holds for my seahorses. Turns out I was right but trying to get the mangroves properly anchored in my DT is proving to be a pain. So I've made a little frame that I can attach them too but I can't think if any good way to attach them other than rubber bands. But most rubber will slowly disintergrate and I don't want whatever chemicals from that ending up in my tank, let along pieces of rubber band. In thinking about it the bands they use for braces have to be safe as they are sitting in a humans mouth for months at a time but I'm not sure what they are made of and where I could get bigger versions of them as the little tiny ones won't cut it. Anyone have any ideas, suggestions, or leads? Thanks!
clearsky57 January 25, 2012 January 25, 2012 Yeah, my first thought was zip ties also. what about suction cups, the one with a ring, and nylon string???
Matt LeBaron January 25, 2012 Author January 25, 2012 I was hoping for something that I wouldn't have to worry about cutting into the mangrove as it grew but they're not fast growers so I guess if I re-did the zip ties every 2 months or so that would be alright. Just trying to find a more long term setup and forget type of thing.
smallreef January 25, 2012 January 25, 2012 Have you though of using some eggcrate attaching a suction cup to the 1 or 2 sides that will be against the tank and moving it up as the stalks get thicker?
tightline January 25, 2012 January 25, 2012 (edited) i tried egg crate also but the plants outgrew the holes and cut . Hear is what i came up with. you can get a pond plant pot should be able to get from and store mine came from lows you should be able to get smaller and filled with old bio balls haey the pot top just out of water attach to eather a tank brace or 1/2 IN pipe with 2 90" culpings make sure the back pipe is long enough to support the pot Excuse the poor atempt at graffic art never was good at etcha scetch lol l If nothing else you could buy some small freshwater plants and use the small containers and use small bioballs.For bigger plants with big root system cut the bottom of container feed from top of plant down the bioballs float they ASLO hold pods as well as the roots so your horses will have food and hanging space Edited January 25, 2012 by tightline
flowerseller January 25, 2012 January 25, 2012 When you say "aquarium safe rubber bands", what exactly do you mean by "aquarium safe"?
Matt LeBaron January 25, 2012 Author January 25, 2012 Normal rubber bands will slowly fall apart in water. I don't know if they would leech anything harmful in doing so but I'm not really up for finding out. I'm trying to find some latex rubber bands now but not having to much luck. I looked at my local grocery store the other day but maybe I'll try and get by a CVS or Walgreens and check their hair accessories section, might have some luck there.
flowerseller January 25, 2012 January 25, 2012 I use the rubber bands often used to hold fish bags closed with to hold the nori on my nori tube. I have to replace it every couple months but I think mostly because the fish nip it trying to get the nori underneath it.
zygote2k January 26, 2012 January 26, 2012 rubber bands are 100% reef safe. other things that I often find in thriving reef tanks are: metal screws paper clips zip ties staples suction cups
hbh January 26, 2012 January 26, 2012 Could you use pvc piping with a magnet glued to it? The other magnet would go on the outside of the tank. So if you had a 2 1/2" connector, the mangroves sit inside(or going through) it with the magnet securing it upright.
Matt LeBaron January 28, 2012 Author January 28, 2012 zygote2k any specifics on why rubber bands are reef safe? I think in the short term I will just use a normal rubber band until I can find something better but I hate the idea of putting something in my tank that will fall apart over time.
flowerseller January 28, 2012 January 28, 2012 like i mentioned earlier, I use them to hold nori on a pvc fitting for my tanks to eat. I know they nibble it and they break and sometimes go missing for many months. I find them from time to time and they still seem fine. They however under water. Above water I'm sure they would get brittle, fast.
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