Question: Plant getting too tall? Can i cut a whole in the mesh lid?

[sde]

Hi,

So, I put in some plants a while back, and this one is growing like CRAZY! I mean it was full submerged and not there is like 1/2 inch left to the top of my mesh lid. So I was wondering if I could cut a small hole in the lid so that it can keep growing, or would my newts be able to escape? My plan is that if I do it would cut a really small, just big enough for it to fit through, so that it would fill the gap as it got bigger and thicker. that way they could not escape. Does this sound ok? I think i will have some more that are going to be this big soon too, so i eventually could have a miniature garden on top of my tank .

Any thoughts? -Seth

 

[Chinadog]

I wouldn't, you'd be amazed how small a gap a newt can escape through!

 

[AfroNewtkeeper]

I suppose you could fill the gap with thick foam. The newts couldn't escape through that. It would also keep the plant from being damaged, if you don't mind it looking a bit unappealing.

 

[Otterwoman]

It would be giving the newt access to another realm just like in Jack and the Beanstalk. Don't do it!

 

[sde]

I wasn't thinking of cutting a gaping hole in it! .

So today it is pressed up against the top. Couldn't I just cut like a 2 mm by 2 mm whole and then direct the plant in there? since it is already pressing up against the top it would immediately fill the gap. I don't think my newts would be able to fit through that? It is a mostly aquatic setup, and the plant is coming out of the water, so they would have to climb it from the water. Do you think that would be ok? What is the alternative? it would keep growing. but it would be contained.

Would that be ok? :happy:

-Seth

 

[Chinadog]

Don't do it Seth, I guarantee that a hole big enough for a plant to poke through is big enough for a newt to escape, you could block it with foam but why risk it? Once the plants get too tall just prune them off and they will throw off side shoots and get more bushy. I have the same problem, but at the and of the day if you let your newts escape into an environment that will harm them it's just as bad as failing to feed them or keep their water clean!

 

[stanleyc]

You can just trim the plant. If its growing like crazy it should be fine. Newts are amazing escape artists. I'd shy away from giving them any opening at all.

 

[sde]

Ok...i guess i wont do it. It just kills me to prune such a beautiful and healthy plant
But your right, i guess its for the best, i would hate to lose one of my newts!

Thank guys! -Seth