Where to buy silk plants

Hello all,

After much debate, I have decided to remove all of the real plants from my tank. With my career, I am not home at all through the week and I just do not have the time to take care of plants the way they should be. As for the fish, I have someone feeding them throughout the week but that person doesn't want to care for the plants too.

So, I have decided to go with silk plants. The question is, who manufactures a good realistic looking silk plant and where do I find them for a reasonable price? I have looked around at some of the major online retailers but I know nothing about what I am shopping for. Any insight from folks who have purchased silk plants online is appreciated.

Also, I have no idea how much room a single silk plant takes up in a tank. I have a typical 55g tank and want it to be medium to heavily planted. No particular theme in mind yet, but I would like to have large and small plants just like one would do with live plants. So, if anyone has done something similar, I would appreciate an image and how many of which type plants they used just to get an idea for what I am going to need to purchase.

Thanks folks!

EDIT: Just realized that this would probably have been better off posted in the Freshwater Products area. If that is the case, a mod can feel free to move it. My appologies for not thinking it through earlier.

jm1212 said:

there are some pretty realistic plastic plants you may want to look at.

there is also the option of ommiting plants entirely and going with all rockwor, depending on what fish you have.

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I have thought of that as well. Really the only reasons I wanted to add silks was because my cherry barbs love to hide out in my sword plants and I love the look of a planted tank. I guess I could just put in a cluster of swords with more driftwood and rocks. Guess i need to put some more thought into it. I would still like folks' input on this idea though.

Thanks for the replies thusfar folks. I will look into ebay and see what there is on there.

drdud said:

I ran into someone that makes fake plant arrangements for aquariums. She arranged flowers and hubby did fish. They put heads together and make economical arrangements. (Met at a Greater Chicagoland Cichlid Assoc. swap meet). Web site : www.pearlsplants.com. She uses a combo of plastic and silk. Her booth was pretty busy with repeat customers. I bought a 25" x 6" arrangement for $8 (show price) and can not wait till the March swap meet to buy more. The web site says 'specializes in customizing'. I know most plants are green and that is my 'expertise'. I bet they can make whatever arrangement you specify.

IME silk will begin to tatter after awhile, but this gives me an excuse to redo the tank.

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Thanks for the link. I am going to go view it now. Sounds pretty nice though.