To plant a fern in an aquarium, you should carefully remove the plant from its pot, remove as much mineral wool or other substrate as possible from the roots, and then attach the fern to a rock or driftwood rather than planting it directly into the substrate.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Remove the Fern from its Pot: Gently take the fern out of the pot it came in.
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Clean the Roots: Carefully remove as much of the mineral wool or other potting media from the roots as possible. Be gentle to avoid damaging the roots.
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Attach, Don't Bury: Unlike many aquarium plants, ferns (like Java fern) do best when their rhizomes (the thick, horizontal stems from which the leaves and roots grow) are not buried in the substrate. Instead:
- Choose a Surface: Select a piece of rock, driftwood, or other aquarium-safe décor.
- Attach the Fern: Use one of the following methods to attach the fern to your chosen surface:
- Fishing Line or Cotton Thread: Gently tie the fern to the object. The thread or line will eventually degrade, and by that time, the fern's roots should have attached themselves.
- Aquarium-Safe Glue: Use a small dab of aquarium-safe super glue to attach the rhizome to the surface. Be careful not to glue the leaves.
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Placement in the Aquarium: Place the rock or driftwood with the attached fern in your desired location within the aquarium.
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Maintain Water Quality: Ferns generally thrive in well-maintained aquariums with good water quality. Regular water changes are essential.
By following these steps, you can successfully plant and grow ferns in your aquarium.
