anacharis breaking apart

**Aude** · 08-28-2010, 02:12 PM

I've had some anacharis in my eclipse 12 for around a month and I've noticed that when one of the stems gets a certain length (6-12 inches) the stem then breaks off from the base of the plant.

Is this normal? Can I just stuff the tip of this broken off piece into the gravel and start a new plant from it?

**Lady Hobbs** · 08-28-2010, 02:21 PM

You may want to let the plant just float. Could the flow from the filter be causing the tops to break?

**Aude** · 08-28-2010, 02:38 PM

Well the filter isn't all that powerful and one of the anacharis plants is located opposite to the filter output.

Will it be okay to just let the broken stems float, then? Will they continue to grow?

**Lady Hobbs** · 08-28-2010, 02:46 PM

Yes and it's been noted they even grow better floating.

**korith** · 08-28-2010, 07:14 PM

Whenever it used to grow too tall in my tank, I would break it in two and replant the remaining piece. It should take off and do well. Or you can just leave them floating.

**obida0429** · 08-31-2010, 02:38 PM

are you putting excel in the tank?

**SkipW** · 08-31-2010, 03:26 PM

Excel will melt them down to nothing. I did that and they were all gone in about 3 - 4 days. I know have 2 small stubs that survived and I'm trying to see if they will grow back.

**Aude** · 08-31-2010, 05:10 PM

No, I don't use any type of fertilizer in the tank. I've let the longer pieces float though I'm worried about blocking light to the rest of the plants - the wattage per gallon, standard eclipse issue, is awful as it is.

**obida0429** · 09-01-2010, 08:52 PM

well anacharis should grow no problem even in the lowest of lights, I wouldnt worry about it growing to the top and then floating on the water. I planted anacharis for a long time in my tank and they never broke apart until I started using excel. They always do best with growth once they hit the surface of the water though. SO like everyone else said floating it the best for this plant