How to Anchor Aquarium Plants

Introduction

Some aquarium plants are more difficult to anchor than others. It can be frustrating when you keep having to replant them after your aquarium’s current or rough inhabitants loosen them up. Aquarium plants are light and will generally float to the top when uprooted. Weighing the aquarium plant down via an anchor method is the only way your plant will stay down until it develops a root system into the substrate.

Fortunately, there are more than a few aesthetic ways to anchor your plants in your aquarium.

How to anchor aquarium plants:

1. Plant the roots and base of the stem into tight crevices in your aquarium. It can be between tight-fitting decorations or rocks.
2. Place a layer of nylon mesh into the middle of the substrate with a plant growing out. Add a thin layer of substrate over to hide the nylon mesh.
3. Use plant anchors specially made for holding aquarium plants down. They may not look the best, but once covered with a light substrate you will hardly notice it is there!
4. Keep the plants in the baskets or in pots layered with gravel or stones to weigh them down. Ceramic pots work well-holding aquarium plants and provide a neat and visually appealing look.
5. Place a heavy rock at the bottom or a small rock around the plant to weigh it down.
6. Use deep and heavy substrate to anchor the plant and encourage a rooting system.
7. Tie the roots to wood or decorations in the aquarium. It stops the plants from floating up.
8. Use aquarium suction cups to hold the base of the plant in your desired location.

Conclusion

Choose an anchoring method that works best for you. Although some plant anchors do not look attractive, we can find ways to decorate and cover the site. Before placing a rock or aquarium plant anchor, make sure to check the manufacturer’s website deems it safe for aquarium use.

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