Planting new plants

[cemantic]

I have goldfish and got, apparently, two different varieties of Hornwort.  The one they ate almost as soon as I put the canopy back on, though it seemed to just be one long floating string type.  The other has bigger stems but no roots on it yet.

They come with foam and lead wrapped around them.  Is it okay to untangle the stems from the foam, re-wrap them then put the lead back.  This way I could plant them with that still on and when it looked like there was rooting action then just take off the foam and lead.

Would the lead effect the water and tank or fish if left there temporaily.

Any tips on planting plants so that it is harder for the goldfish to uproot them?

All the other plants seemed to be undisturbed.

Any other tips to get the plants off to the best start when they are first put in?

[Ormarr]

I'm fairly certain goldfish are herbivores and will enjoy most plants you put in with them.  I'm quite certain the weights are perfectly safe to put in the tank (Big Al's sells them for that purpose).  You could try wedging the plants between fair sized rocks so the goldfish can't get to them.

[KLKelly]

I can't put hornwart in the goldfish tanks - it is a big favourite.  You should come to the auctions for plants.  You will be able to get more so when they eat them - it won't make as big of a dent in your pocket.  There isn't always hornwart available at auctions but there was a few bunches of it on Monday.

I try and anchor plants in the clay pots using fishing twine and larger river stones.  You could tie it to a river stone and hide the rock under your substrate.  I think this will make it at least more fun for them

[Crumpet]

What I've had success with in my goldie tanks is java fern and java moss on driftwood.  To anchor the plants, I tie them onto the wood with cotton thread until they root in.  These two plants are also pretty-munch proof as well.

[cemantic]

Behind Wile E. Koiote is this Hornwort?  (attached pic)

This is the one they didn't eat, but their rooting around it is dislodging it.  The problem is these came with no roots on the ends.  It looks like they are just cuts from another plant then sold as bunches.  I guess the solution is just find a way to anchor them so the fish can't mess with them until they root properly.

Tying them to something may be the solution.  I had two inch stones around them and they still managed to push them loose.

Where there's a will something will happen.

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[PaleoFishGirl]

As I mentioned in a previous thread, hornwort is not a rooted plant - it floats.  It *can* anchor itself in the substrate with something that looks like roots (actually modified leaves, interestingly enough), but usually this is not the case.  If you try to 'plant' it, the part of the plant in the substrate will just rot or break off.  I suggest you leave it floating.

Goldfish and plants don't usually mix, but you might want to take Crumpet's suggestion of Java Fern as obviously she's had success.

[Laura]

I've had good luck with African Fern, java fern, anubius and some sp of sword (although others are delicious).

[irene]

That stuff in your picture sort of looks like cabomba which is different than hornwort and does grow roots.

Irene

[cemantic]

Thanks Irene that looks like what it is and may explain why the goldies don't eat it, but did chow down on the actual hornwort I had.  They just dig around it.  I know they check out the whole tank looking for food.  These were just not anchored properly.  A job for this weekend.  Then they can root properly.

Here are some links that show the Cabomba.

http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_cabomba.php
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=796&cm_mmc=Affiliate-_-Linkshare-_-Plants-_-PL%20-%20Cabomba&ref=3665&subref=AA&GCID=C12188x007



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[dan2x38]

Good luck rooting plants with goldies... they are nosey poking and digging around like you said for food! They pull at plant leaves to see if it is tastey even if they don't like it they up root it... it's a tough battle to win... go with hardy plants with tough leaves: java fern, anubais nana, amazon sword, twisted vals

[cemantic]

I agree with you goldies do like to root around things.  The koi is the worst.  He/she is a hungry little critter and is always rooting around looking for more.

I'll do what I can and let it grow.  The tank has cycled, the levels are zero for ammonia and nitrite.  Nitrate is ranging around 5-10.  Phosphates are about 1 ppm or mg/l.

Fish are happy. 

Perhaps another post but how do phosphates fit into the scenario?  Also if all the levels are good how often should you do a water change?

[dan2x38]

I do weekly water changes on all my tanks of approx. 30%. Phosphate (PO4) will contribute to algae if you do not have fast growing plants. Your levels are fine though. With regular water changes it will be OK. Remember Goldfish are actually healthy if under feed a bit. They are always hungry... LOL All fish food has PO4 so controlling the food added helps control that along with WCs. Your tap water as a certain amount of PO4 so some plants growing is great to use those up as well.

If you have more than one tank and it is not goldies put a whack of duckweed in it. Then throw some of that in with the Koi & Goldfish they love it... that way they will leave some of your plants alone giving them a chance... Maybe! Plus go to the mini auction buy the water sprite and other mixed stemmed plants usually a buck or 2 a bag... Myself and many others would likely bring you some if you wanted...