Attaching Plants to Equipment in Tank

[STAT 007]

I'm wondering if it'd be possible to get plants to attach to equipment in the tank such as the filter intake, heater, and CO2 reactor. It might not be such a good idea to get something growing on the heater, but all the other things would look much better if they were covered in Riccia or something. Would this be possible? I was thinking that you could maybe even use epoxy to attach some sort of surace for the plants to grow on (kinda like a lattice) or maybe random epoxy lines alone would be enough for plants to attach to. Or no?

Even simple algae would be better than nothing but it'd really be cool if some more robust plants could be used. Any ideas on how this could be made to work (if at all)?

[kor4ever]

I'm actually trying that myself. I've looked at two ways, both using java moss. I used a hairnet tossed some java moss in and tied it around the filter intake. The other way is to use cork. You can immobilize floating cork by tying it to the filter and tie some java moss and let it hang down. eventually it will grow a curtain for you. Some people also use a cork wall, where they attach java moss. I wouldn't attach anything to your heater, just grow some TALL plant in front of it. I believe I got most of this information at thekrib, so check it out there if you want to find out more. FINS is also a good place to check.

Felix

[anonapersona]

I've read suggestions to use plastic mesh, as in window screens or craft backing, I can't get window screen in small bits though, havn't tried for craft backing (like rug hooking or some sort of sewing?)

I've aslo seen sugestions to just silicone on java fern.

I worry about disturbing flow paths in the tank, however, and things like my in-tank reactor I need to be able to see.

I guess I could consider removing the heater about now, maybe.

[GulfCoastAquarian]

I've rubber banded stems of Hygro to my filter intake tubes before and covered them up rather well.

[STAT 007]

But the question is, can you get the plants to propogate and grow, thus covering up (and no longer needing) whatever material you use to attach them to the equipment?

[kor4ever]

Well, you wouldn't be able to see the hairnet if the moss grew in, but I doubt you'd be able to remove the cork or the hairnet.

Felix

[Work In Progress]

Yeah I was wondering......if you put your plants on there and the propagated and etc. Wouldn't you have probs if you ever needed to disassemble or remove the filter stuff, etc?
I think the temp way would be better, IMO

Kelly

[STAT 007]

What the heck does "Peaches, Peanuts & Cotton" mean? Is that somewhere near Cut & Shoot, TX?

[Work In Progress]

Ha Ha Ha......No
Actually peaches, peanuts and cotton are the primary agricultural products grown down here in Georgia.
You could also add, tobacco, soy, corn and a couple of others, but then my profile wouldn't have been as catchy
Kelly

[STAT 007]

Catchy? Hmmmmm...

[STAT 007]

Somebody linked these pages on another topic but they actually apply really well here. The first page talks about hiding in-tank equipment towards the bottom of the page. The info on the second page is self-explanatory and while the author talks about attaching Riccia to wood and rock, I'd assume the same could be applied to equipment.

http://www.aquabotanic.com/dutchsecrets.htm


http://www.floridadriftwood.com/plan...cia_attach.htm

[kor4ever]

Haha, my bad, when I was attaching those links, I was thinking it would apply on another thread, but glad to see you found it.


Felix

[STAT 007]

No problem, Felix. Think of this as me answering my own question (since I started the topic--LOL).