A question about fake plants...

[gpaaib]

Last night I was walking through a Michaels crafts store when I came across some really nice looking silk plants.

Now from what I have read in the forums there is really no problem using silk plants in an aquarium, right?

My real concern is this: In the center of these plants there were metal wires so that a person could shape the plants to their liking.

Will these exposed METAL wires pose a threat to the water chemistry and in turn hurt the fish?

Thanks,

Gary

[JoeLaX28]

Be careful with exposed wires, as they could cut any fish that gets too close (at least on the the ends of the wires). I'm not sure about the water chemistry though.

If anything though, I'd be most concerned about the glue that they use on those plants. I was considering doing the same thing until I saw some of them had glue on them.

[ThePBM]

the glue isn't a problem, the metal eventually rusts.

[gpaaib]

the glue isn't a problem, the metal eventually rusts.

Yeah, I was more concerned about corrosion myself...

[kitokatlin]

I have a silk ground cover plant, the only problem I have with it is cleaning it. The silk seems to suck up the algae and not let it go. Other than that I have not heard of any problems.

[charlie4486]

i have had silk plants in my tank for about 4 months, and i can't wait to upgrade my lights to get rid of them and get real plants. it's so hard to get algae off of them and then when you do it takes the color off. that's just my personal experience with them.

[Bnoble]

actually the glue could deteriorate and give off a discoloration or chemical! and yes the metal could rust or cut the fish!

[legendaryfrog]

Oh yeah, I would really advise against them. I got a few at joann for me new tank and had the same problem as charlie4486. The colors washed out after their first scrub.


The metal didnt pose much of a problem though...