View Full Version : Mix fake AND live plants??
Has anyone done this? I have less time to tend my 40g breeder tank. Dwarf sag and various crypt w. and crypt m. cover the tank bed without much tending. I'd like to do a 'mound design' with oval/roundish focal point in the center of the tank, but am hoping someone's found a large/realistic artificial plant/s that would work as a centerpiece w/or without driftwood, I'd love to hear about it. The idea of buying a live, large, colorful 14-16" potted centerpiece plant that would run around $50+ and possibly having it die due to neglect or not absolute ideal conditions is not really do-able right now. Any ideas? Photos of your mound or island design?? Thanks!
dundadundun
07-05-2009, 11:09 AM
how about amazon swords... they're cheap. you can find one that big around here for about $5 or close usually.
Somervell
07-05-2009, 11:14 AM
I have shamelessly mixed fake and real-- mostly because there are no true white and green striped aquatic plants. So far, no one is the wiser. The purists would say, no, but I say, "Go for it!" The sword idea will work well, too!
SubRosa
07-05-2009, 2:15 PM
It's your tank, and you're the one who has to look at it everyday. If it's what you want **** the purists...oops I'm one of the purists!
dundadundun
07-05-2009, 2:25 PM
It's your tank, and you're the one who has to look at it everyday. If it's what you want **** the purists...oops I'm one of the purists!
:lol:
i have been down that road and gave all my fake plants to my mom. i am now a purist. i still agree though. it's yours, **** 'em.
Somervell
07-05-2009, 2:32 PM
Nothing wrong with being a purist-- I surely didn't mean to insult anyone :) I, too, have a 20 gallon packed to the brim with fabulous fakes, just incase my luck with the real ones runs out!
SubRosa
07-05-2009, 2:41 PM
Nothing wrong with being a purist-- I surely didn't mean to insult anyone :) I, too, have a 20 gallon packed to the brim with fabulous fakes, just incase my luck with the real ones runs out!It's science my friend science! Accidents aside luck has very little to do with it!
dundadundun
07-05-2009, 2:44 PM
i am not insulted at all. anyone who may be should not even post here considering the title imho. thanks for the consideration though. and like i said nothing wrong with fake plants, but they don't multiply either. i count on that to keep high prices at bay.
I'd love to remain a purist, but time and money are an issue right now :) I like amazons, but they get kind of "leggy" meaning long stem and green on top. I'd love to do either a fake bundle of anubias nano or some type of white/green bunch type plant that would create roundish shape about 16" around, ala some of the Amano books Ij've seen. Will have to do some searching unless someone has a brand name they recommend of realistic plants and I can see what they offer. The basic pet shops around here have penplax stuff that looks so-so. I'd like something that will blend with my dwarf sag and crypts and won't stand out as FAKE. Thanks again, in advance!
Somervell
07-05-2009, 5:02 PM
I know that Pennplax has a silk "real life" line that looks pretty realistic. Some are good, some are not so good. They aren't terribly easy to find in stores, though. These aren't the same carded ones that they sell at large package stores.
excuzzzeme
07-05-2009, 6:00 PM
It's your tank and there for your enjoyment. If you have it for any other reason you should give it up. That being said, the fish and plants you stock with are really no one's concern other than your own. I have fake plants in one tank due to the livestock wanting to eat the real ones, and tank with mixed, and a couple that are all real. No one has yet to identify which are which! I often hear people remark that I must have a bundle tied up in all those fake plants until I prove to them that most are real (which actually cost me less). I would guess that is a testament about how good fake plants are made.
Do whatever it is that works the best for you and at the same time gives you the most enjoyment. It certainly doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
Markushka
07-05-2009, 6:59 PM
I've had mixed live and real for a bit. Now i've become a purist too, mainly because my fake plants started disintegrating. Think of it this way, the price of plastic plants(10-15$ last time i checked my LFS) that'll last you 10 -12 years is about the same as cheaper live plants (4-6$ potted at LFS) that hypothetically can last longer and multiply too boot. At least that was my logic. although I did get a madagascar lace-leaf for about 10$ a few years ago.