This is gold! Went through all my tanks and pulled out stems that weren’t looking so hot, bunched them with string tied to a piece of comb, pushed just the comb into the sand/gravel and now I can see if they will grow by reaching roots to the substrate without shoving plant into the sand/gravel. If not I can move it to another spot without pulling roots out the sand/gravel. Genius Joanna!
Great idea! I use metal plant weights on almost all stem plants when first planting. They're cheap, easy to cut to size, don't hurt the plant or fish, and can be pushed into the substrate so they don't show. They also allow you to quickly add plants to a bare bottom tank.
Lol this is so timely for me I have a ton of stem plants and almost daily I'm fighting with them to get them back in the substrate. Great tip I need to give this a try
THIS IS PURE GENIUS! I've seen someone use a potato chips tube lid to anchor plants in a goldfish tank, cutting an "x" in the center, passing the roots through it with the ledge up and filling it up with substrate... It is a good idea but I prefer your way since you can place multiple plants together more easily.
Great idea with the comb. I have already used that idea with keeping my echinodorus down in the substrate FINALLY. I also cut up one of those little open weave pots that aquarium plants come in with rock wool. It also has the comb like features and I happened to have one around. I think a plastic fork might work too. I kept on seeing my sword plant floating so the idea of the comb came in handy. I happened to have one around so it does work!
What an awesome tip. Thank you for sharing this. I just started a Walstad method aquarium and it’s challenging keeping the stem plants in the substrate. I’ll try this before the next water change.
This would be ok for short term tanks. But I believe the plastics break down in the aquarium over years. That could be toxic to the fish. Something to think about if you have deep dirt substrate with sand cap and your tank is stable for years. 😊
OMG! this idea is brilliant! I get so frustrated with plants popping up! Thank you! And thanks for the mini pond video! I have a small pond with Queen Tut, Creeping Jenny, a few fish etc., and I enjoy it so much! You are my go to source!
That’s awesome! The day before Aquashella I was trying to get those stinkers to stay in the substrate and I wasn’t very successful. So I will definitely go to the dollar store and buy some combs. Thank you so much Joanna!
GENIUS!! I have tried everything to keep stem plants in place, and I do try to avoid the lead wraps, not only for the fishes, but also for me reaching in the water. I just found your channel...amazing for the Crypts!! I have lots to learn from you...Many thanks!
so not for 1 stem, but when I plant a bunch of stems in one place I take a rock and zip tie the bottom of the bunch to the rock. then just drop it where I want the plants to root. I don't even bury it, the plants will send roots down into the substrate. works particularly well with rotala rotundafolia !
Thank you for sharing! I’m thinking back and realizing part of the reason I ragequit non-anubias is that my bacopa wouldn’t stay down. It IS a stinker!
Fantastic idea! Stem plants are a b, especially in aqua soil. Wish I would’ve had this hack years back when I first got into planted tanks. Appreciate your combination of creativity and practical knowledge. Have fun at aquashella 💙
I use a plastic fork end, just break off the handle, leave it in for about 2 weeks and them I'm able to take it out. Gonna use this comb idea on my Montecarlo
Oh good just what I need. I have sand. I’m hopeless either way the long planting tools that I see people using. 😅 My husband is going to lose his comb 😂😂I do try to put a rock on them. Thank you I’m going to try. My hair is very short but I’ll buy some of those hair combs. 🥰
I don't have such a big problem with it with gravel apart from the moment when I'm cleaning and the super straight stem plants like alternatherra, which seems to dislike my tank and grown very little roots. Crypts seem to be super roted among the gravel. I am thinking of changing to a similar small gravel or black sand though as I like the look, but didn't know it is harder to hold things down.
What about the tiger lotus lily bulbs !! Them things are always floating around in my tank. And I just discovered someone’s been eating the tiger lotus bulb. It was brown but now it’s all white.
Adding plastic of any kind to my aquarium is simply a no no for me, i would just super glue multiple stems to a small piece of gravel and sink it into my sand and leave it. I couldn't agree with polluting my water table with plastic.
I totally get it. A lot of folks don’t even agree with using super glue either. Now if we could just eliminate silicone seams, plastic rims and plastic filtration. Interesting video idea actually. 👀😊
@@thesmallscape yeah very true, as i sit here infront of my tank i realise the algea scraper is housed inside plastic, my filter too with plastic coating around the wires. I realise too there is safe and unsafe plastic but they will all leach eventually. I guess its something i have to live with including the fish.
The simplicity of this made me feel like a complete idiot… THIS IS BRILLIANT! thank you 😊
lol, I hope it works for you ☺️
This is gold! Went through all my tanks and pulled out stems that weren’t looking so hot, bunched them with string tied to a piece of comb, pushed just the comb into the sand/gravel and now I can see if they will grow by reaching roots to the substrate without shoving plant into the sand/gravel. If not I can move it to another spot without pulling roots out the sand/gravel. Genius Joanna!
Yay! So happy to hear it 😊
Update?
I wish I had seen this a couple hours ago! Now I have a cloudy mess from fighting with the plants trying to get them in the sand!
Great idea! I use metal plant weights on almost all stem plants when first planting. They're cheap, easy to cut to size, don't hurt the plant or fish, and can be pushed into the substrate so they don't show. They also allow you to quickly add plants to a bare bottom tank.
Your hair looks amazing
Awesome idea. Just got some new plants I’m currently floating. I never look forward to actually planting them. Now I am!
Lol this is so timely for me I have a ton of stem plants and almost daily I'm fighting with them to get them back in the substrate. Great tip I need to give this a try
Great Idea!!! Thanks
Also You can use plastic paper clip . But I will try your way!👍
this really helps.thanks for the tip
The comb technique is awesome😮
THIS IS PURE GENIUS! I've seen someone use a potato chips tube lid to anchor plants in a goldfish tank, cutting an "x" in the center, passing the roots through it with the ledge up and filling it up with substrate... It is a good idea but I prefer your way since you can place multiple plants together more easily.
Great tip!
The absolute bane of my life is trying to get stem plants to stay down.
Will DEFINITELY be trying this!!!
Great idea with the comb. I have already used that idea with keeping my echinodorus down in the substrate FINALLY. I also cut up one of those little open weave pots that aquarium plants come in with rock wool. It also has the comb like features and I happened to have one around. I think a plastic fork might work too. I kept on seeing my sword plant floating so the idea of the comb came in handy. I happened to have one around so it does work!
Thanks so much! I am out of my usual weights and this was perfect timing!😊
You’re always a source for ideas! 💚 Immediately went and did this to my buce. Perfect!
What an awesome tip. Thank you for sharing this. I just started a Walstad method aquarium and it’s challenging keeping the stem plants in the substrate. I’ll try this before the next water change.
The time you said using the cirley hair ties worked fot me. 💕
Liz
would never of thought about using a comb like that to keep plants down really a top tip thankyou
This would be ok for short term tanks. But I believe the plastics break down in the aquarium over years. That could be toxic to the fish. Something to think about if you have deep dirt substrate with sand cap and your tank is stable for years. 😊
This is an amazing idea! I love your videos, you make the hobby so much more fun ! Thank you from 🇨🇦
@@LindaNewman-vt9xy aww that’s so sweet !! ☺️☺️☺️
wow, really helpful thanks! 👍
What a Great Idea!! I will definitely be trying this out!!
OMG! this idea is brilliant! I get so frustrated with plants popping up! Thank you!
And thanks for the mini pond video! I have a small pond with Queen Tut, Creeping Jenny, a few fish etc., and I enjoy it so much!
You are my go to source!
I’m so glad to hear it, you are so kind! Enjoy your lovely pond!! 😊
That’s awesome! The day before Aquashella I was trying to get those stinkers to stay in the substrate and I wasn’t very successful. So I will definitely go to the dollar store and buy some combs. Thank you so much Joanna!
Omg for real? Lol this is an awesome hack! Thank you for sharing. I have had such a time with things like this. Off to the dollar store! 🚗 lol
🙌😊
GENIUS!! I have tried everything to keep stem plants in place, and I do try to avoid the lead wraps, not only for the fishes, but also for me reaching in the water. I just found your channel...amazing for the Crypts!!
I have lots to learn from you...Many thanks!
This is the problem I've been having! Definitely going to try it
That was brilliant! Thank you. 😊
Great job as always ❤❤❤
so not for 1 stem, but when I plant a bunch of stems in one place I take a rock and zip tie the bottom of the bunch to the rock. then just drop it where I want the plants to root. I don't even bury it, the plants will send roots down into the substrate.
works particularly well with rotala rotundafolia !
OMG that is an amazing tip. Definitely going to use it next plant run I go for!
Go for it!💁🏻♀️🥳
Solid tips I’m definitely going to give this a go.
Great idea and so simple!! ❤
That is really cool. Love it. Going to dollar tree & getting them.thank you!
Good idea, I will have to give that a try.
Fabulous tip. And I have some extra ones on hand! Thank you!!
Good luck! 😊
I have a huge Annubias that keeps going on walk about , I am going to try a comb! Thank you!!
This makes so much sense!! Thanks for the tip.
love this getting a new plant on friday
will try this
Oh, my goodness! This is the tip I have been needing! Can't wait to try it!
Thank you for sharing! I’m thinking back and realizing part of the reason I ragequit non-anubias is that my bacopa wouldn’t stay down. It IS a stinker!
Oh ya. Been there. I like to float plants like bacopa first until it starts getting some roots too. Hope it helps! Go get em!
I will be using this idea for sure.
Great idea Joanna!!
Thanks so much! Happy almost summer! 💁🏻♀️😎
good stuff TY
Aweeeee!! I hope to go to Dallas Aquashella next year!
Fantastic hack! Thank you
wow this is so smart! thanks for the tip
great tip
Brilliant 👏..going to use this hack
Fantastic idea! Stem plants are a b, especially in aqua soil. Wish I would’ve had this hack years back when I first got into planted tanks. Appreciate your combination of creativity and practical knowledge. Have fun at aquashella 💙
Stem plants ARE stinkers! We sure did have a bunch of fun at Aquashella! 😊
Best tip ever!!! Thanks!
thanks..look like a great idea.. next stop dollar general...
Creative idea. I just use lead strips or rocks.
I use a plastic fork end, just break off the handle, leave it in for about 2 weeks and them I'm able to take it out. Gonna use this comb idea on my Montecarlo
That’s a great idea!
Another Joanna hack to try. Thanks!
What an amazing tip!!
Oh good just what I need. I have sand. I’m hopeless either way the long planting tools that I see people using. 😅 My husband is going to lose his comb 😂😂I do try to put a rock on them. Thank you I’m going to try. My hair is very short but I’ll buy some of those hair combs. 🥰
Thanks for the tip. I use anchors for mine and they work really well. Do you think the comb can be used with java fern like anubias?
You would be so happy for me. I had a knot from a old oak in my yard. It took 3 years to get it how it is now. Its honestly a miricle.😢
It’s a great hack! 🌱
😌Happy Memorial Day weekend to you!
@@thesmallscape to you as well! ☀️ 🇺🇸
Brilliant!
Great hack
I don't have such a big problem with it with gravel apart from the moment when I'm cleaning and the super straight stem plants like alternatherra, which seems to dislike my tank and grown very little roots. Crypts seem to be super roted among the gravel. I am thinking of changing to a similar small gravel or black sand though as I like the look, but didn't know it is harder to hold things down.
This is going to help a lot of people 👀❗❗
This is genius I'll never be mad at my stem plants again
😂
What about the tiger lotus lily bulbs !! Them things are always floating around in my tank. And I just discovered someone’s been eating the tiger lotus bulb. It was brown but now it’s all white.
Great Idea
That's a great idea
So my plants aren’t making roots in my soil substrate. Do I need to float them till they do
Hi! I like to first -especially for my bacopa! ☺️
Clever 🌿💚💚
What kind of fish are thoses?
I do something similar.... I will cut a hole in a milk bottom lid and burry that.
The comb trick might be better.
Nice
That's smart
Adding plastic of any kind to my aquarium is simply a no no for me, i would just super glue multiple stems to a small piece of gravel and sink it into my sand and leave it. I couldn't agree with polluting my water table with plastic.
I totally get it. A lot of folks don’t even agree with using super glue either. Now if we could just eliminate silicone seams, plastic rims and plastic filtration. Interesting video idea actually. 👀😊
@@thesmallscape yeah very true, as i sit here infront of my tank i realise the algea scraper is housed inside plastic, my filter too with plastic coating around the wires. I realise too there is safe and unsafe plastic but they will all leach eventually. I guess its something i have to live with including the fish.
Just something cute….yes, you are.
💚💚💙💙
Epic🫶🏻❤️💯