finfollower

can you use rubber bands instead of cotton thread to attach plants on to rocks/driftwood or will the rubber bands mess up the water?

Chris S

Rubber bands rot and fall apart a short time after being in a tank. I don't beleive they significantly hurt anything but you have to pick up the peices after they fall apart and that can be messy and frustrating. I have used plastic coated garbage bag ties with success.

hoppycalif

I have used rubber bands a few times to attach annubia and Java fern to driftwood. It worked perfectly, except one little piece of rubber had a root growing to it. None of the bands broke apart or disintegrated in any way. I just waited a month and cut the band to release it and removed it.

oRiN999

a good easy way to tie plants down is to go to a fly fishing shop and get a fly tieing tool it automatically releases thread and allows you to get the thread in between plant leaves real easy. they only cost about $5 and are very handy.

but as for rubber bands they may cause damage to the plants if they are too tight and some of the smaller cheaper rubber bands do fall apart but other than that there are no real problems using rubber bands

Bert H

The beauty of cotton thread is that usually by the time it disintegrates, the plant is well attached. So you only fiddle with it once.

finfollower

i find it rather hard to tie plants onto driftwood or rocks with cotton thread. the plants don't always stay in the position that I want and tying it is a hassle.btw, how long does it take for the plants to attach to rocks or driftwood?

oRiN999

depends on the plant but most within a month with optimal growth