The setting up of an aquarium is both a fascinatng and patience-taxing job. The greater the depth of the water, the more troublesome is the task. The boyancy of the plants time and again frustrate our efforts. Usually after several futile attempts, a root selection seems to be successfully pushed down into the sand. Before one can follow through with the rest, the plant becomes foot-loose, gracefully arising to the top, necessitating starting all over again.

Live plants are a beautiful part of an aquarium, especially with a large specimen plant such as an Annubias. However, if not planted correctly, it is easy to bruise the fragile roots allowing the plant to die. The tuber of the plant should reside above the surface of the gravel or it will also rot resulting in the death of the plant.

Lead aquarium plant weights – which are not actually made out of lead – can be used to prevent this problem. By wrapping the lead strip in a gentle frame around the plant roots, the lead weight can hold the plant down to the substrate until such time as the roots of the plant can adequately hold the plant naturally in the substrate.

By placing the plant in the center of this metal frame and spreading the roots out nicely, roots that should be covered by sand can be gently covered while the plant is held by the weight of the frame.

Lead weights are not actually lead, because lead is toxic and would release toxins into the water.

Plant roots grow much more naturally when spread out and protected this way, benefiting the plants and the aquarium.