How do you tie fishing line to river rocks?

[onebettanewbie]

I'm trying to create a more consistent look in my tank by tieing all of my plants to various sizes of river rock. First step is to tie fishing line to the river rock. It's making me crazy because I can't get the fishing line to hold on the smooth round rock! Is there a trick to it? The only thing I can think to do is buy some aquarium silicon and put a dab on each rock.

[Purrbox]

Use a hairnet instead. Use a zip tie to fasten and you're done.

[onebettanewbie]

Oh, what a good idea! I would never have thought of it. What is a zip tie?

[Purrbox]

Zip Ties

[onebettanewbie]

Ah, an electrical tie. Thanks, I actually have some.

[An t-iasg]

I have used fishing line to tie ferns to smooth rocks. I used superglue to fasten the fishing line to the bottom of the rock. I let that dry for a day or two, then I tied the fern to the rock. I had my husband hold the fern to the rock while I tied the fishing line. I think it's impossible to handle fishing line, a rock, and a wet plant by yourself! The zip tie solution looks good too. I call them cable ties and they can be found at Home Depot or Lowe's.

[onebettanewbie]

Thanks for the great ideas. I thought about it last night and here's my plan:

- Make tiny hairnet bags, put some aquarium gravel in them and tie them to the Wisteria with fishing line to weight them down.
- Wrap hairnet around a couple of the larger river rocks, thread fishing line through the hairnet and tie the fishing line to the anubias. I don't have a husband so I'll just have to be persistent! I'll let you know how I make out.

Purrbox, I will post a picture of my aquarium again in the Aqua Landscaping thread in a few weeks when I'm done and I've got my Crypt Willisi planted (I haven't managed to get ahold of any yet.) Upon further reflection I probably shouldn't have opened that thread in Aqua Landscaping which is kinda ambitious for what I'm trying to do, but it's already there so I will update it there.

[pitt420dude]

one betta newbie, I've also had luck using twisty-ties traditionally used for garbage bags and electronics. I just put em' around the rock and plant, then twist it until it's tight and voila!

Another option might be to use thread. Just cheap black/brown thread you can get at any craft store. This way it blents in so well youc an't see it, and it may grip smooth surfaces better than frictionless fishing line.

[onebettanewbie]

I presume you mean the plastic twist ties? When I set up the tank in January I tried using the paper ties and the wire ended up being exposed so I took them out. Plastic ties are a good idea but I already have a large reel of fishing line. I've got plenty of thread, all colors, but doesn't it deteriorate and don't you worry about dye in the water?

[pitt420dude]

No I mean the paper ties with the tiny metal wire in the middle. The minute amount of metal exposed really can't affect your water quality in any significant way, unless you have A LOT of them in a TINY tank, then I could see it causing issues. Considering the minute amount of materil though, I wouldn't worry at all.

The same is true for any dye in the thread. I've seen other planted aquarists use it with great success and no ill effects.