Growing Anubias

keeperofthefish · Post by **keeperofthefish** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:54 pm

Are there any great tricks to speeding the growth of anubias? I would like to propagate a few plants, but I'm worried that it really won't be worthwhile because they're so slow growing. Are there any tips to speed growth beyond fertilizers? I have heard that bright light can actually be harmful to growth rates with some species of anubias. I find this a very interesting plant, but a bit frustrating, also.

Also, when one attaches it to drift wood, how tightly should it be tied on as it establishes itself?

Post by **krisw** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:42 pm

I think that bright light tends to produce more algae, since the anubias, no matter how fast it grows, will never grow FAST. Now, you can have bright/moderate light, and have other fast growing plants that will compete the algae, you'll be just fine. Additionally, one of the more recent developments has been the Olive Nerite Snails. We had a group order for these a month or two ago, and they do a great job at clean spot algae off of anubias (and anything else for that matter.) As far as tying it down to driftwood... Just tie it tight enough so that it stays put. Eventually you'll see the roots come down, and form around the shapes of the wood. It's fairly common practice to use wire to tie it down, leaving the wire there indefinitely. You should only need one wrap of green wire to keep it there. (Green so it's not noticable)

RTRJR · Post by **RTRJR** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:55 pm

If you want maximum growth rate, grow it as an emerse bog plant in very high humidity. Otherwise as Kris said, it is never speedy, just steady. I do get highest growth rates with the roots (not the rhizome, that will rot) in an enriched substrate. The growth form is largest in that situation as well - to the extent that the plant can look like the regular Anubuias barteri.

I am a bit suspicious of the multiple forms of A. b. nana, as I only have two which are really distinct and not subject to reversion in my tanks, but I can create others by care or lack thereof.

As with many "low-light" plants, the higher ligh is not is big an issue as is keeping the plant algae-free. The leaves last at least a couple of years, so setting up green spot can be a PITA. The Nerites which Kris also mentioned are a gift for the Anubias grower. They are the first critter that I have kept which can graze green spot, but I confess it is not a big issue in my tanks currently anyway, other than a bit on Anubias.

Cristy Keister · Post by **Cristy Keister** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:46 pm

Not that I've seriously studied this, but it seems like all my "low light" plants do best in what I think is medium light (around 1.5 - 2 wpg). Lower light levels mean slower growth, but putting anubias in with faster growing plants just means the anubias can't compete for nutrients.

keeperofthefish · Post by **keeperofthefish** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:50 pm

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I have got to get some of those olive nerite snails. Are any GWAPA members breeding them yet? I know that is also one of their appealing factors is that they don't breed in freshwater, but knowing this enterprising group, I figured someone probably has a brackish or saltwater setup and has them breeding.

Thanks!

BTW, where does one get the green wire? I am really sick of trying to use black thread, a la Amano. Probably a stupid question...

Cristy Keister · Post by **Cristy Keister** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 8:43 pm

Michael's has the wire in the section with the bouquet-making stuff.

SCMurphy · Post by **SCMurphy** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:41 am

Iron in the water. It's the first things I found that inspired Anubius to grow. I read about laterite in a small pamplet that came out before the "Optimum Aquarium" book came out (same authors). It described how crypt stream had great growth downstream of seeps that came through iron rich laterite and raised the iron levels of the stream water. I tried to add some Kent Iron for my crypts and every anubius I had in the tank shot out a new leaf.

I waited a week, did a water change and repeated the process to see if I was kidding myself. I wasn't.

Ghazanfar Ghori · Post by **Ghazanfar Ghori** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:33 am

Metal halide.
Metal halide.
Metal halide.
Metal halide.
Metal halide.
...and just to make sure that my point gets across - Metal halide!

SCMurphy · Post by **SCMurphy** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:36 am

Ghazanfar Ghori wrote:Metal halide.
Metal halide.
Metal halide.
Metal halide.
Metal halide.
...and just to make sure that my point gets across - Metal halide!

GG is stuck again, someone slap him 'side the head to help him out.

Bgssamson · Post by **Bgssamson** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:48 am

keeperofthefish wrote:Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I have got to get some of those olive nerite snails. Are any GWAPA members breeding them yet? I know that is also one of their appealing factors is that they don't breed in freshwater, but knowing this enterprising group, I figured someone probably has a brackish or saltwater setup and has them breeding.

Thanks!

BTW, where does one get the green wire? I am really sick of trying to use black thread, a la Amano. Probably a stupid question...

Superpetz in Annandale has this snails labeled trapdoor snails. I bought about 6 pcs. gave a few to my brother & friend. You got to look in the back side where the brine shrimps tanks is & make sure you pick the ones that is healthy.

-Brian

Growing Anubias

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