Can I make my own artificial plants???

[meowfish]

Hello all, I was wondering if you know what the difference between store bought pre made plants or if I buy artificial plastic greens at the craft store and silicone them to a safe base is? They seem like the same plants only way cheaper to make. Any help would be great. Thanks

[cgrabe]

I think the biggest thing you have to watch out for is metal wire in artificial plants or plant parts not intended for aquariums. If any of them have stems, try to bend them. If they don't snap back, they probably have metal in them. Of course you should soak them for a while to make sure no dyes leach out or anything.

[meowfish]

thanks for responding I think that some have metal in them but I am going to seal them in with the aquarium silicone and I think that should work okay then......I hope. I am going to try and hope for the best. :)

[beviking]

There have been other threads on this here at AC and the consensus was not to use them. If you feel you need to try it, do it in a tank with inexpensive fish. And please report back the results.:)