Fake plastic plants...

[gpaaib]

I have been into a few local shops now just hashing over ways to make my new tank look cool. Gazing upon all of the plastic plants, they all seem to look just that... Fake and plastic.

Has anyone come across any fake plants that can fool the onlooker? Any brand names?

Thanks,
Gary

 

[MadCaptain]

I think plastic plants will allways look fake. Why dont you try a few live plants. A java fern does not need much to grow and can be quite nice.

 

[gpaaib]

I think plastic plants will allways look fake. Why dont you try a few live plants. A java fern does not need much to grow and can be quite nice.

I considered Java Ferns but wondered how they would work out in my Mbuna tank. I've heard stories of not only having chemical issues but the cichlids digging them up as well.

I was basically going to silicone the plastic plants to the back of rocks.

 

[theotheragentm]

Java Ferns don't get planted. They have threads coming out of the rhizome. You can often tuck those under the rocks to anchor them down.

 

[gpaaib]

Java Ferns don't get planted. They have threads coming out of the rhizome. You can often tuck those under the rocks to anchor them down.

Wow! Thanks for that info!

 

[GuiltyPleasures]

You could also use silk plants if you don't want to go with real plants. I use them in most of my tanks and they look as close to real as you can get without going to real plants. I buy mine at the dollar stores, walmart, joann's and michaels. Lot's cheaper than buying the plastic kind at the local pet stores

 

[OldMan47]

I have found that once silk plants get a little algae on them they look pretty good. Java ferns as was said are usually tied to something heavy enough with a thread or a piece of monofilament fishing line. They will not survive having their rhizome planted. They will thrive with as little as 1 watt of fluorescent lighting per gallon of tank that is left on for 8 to 10 hours per day. I use one of those mechanical timers so I can keep the light cosistent. When I find I have a little to much or not quite enough, I can just adjust the timer. I set mine so the lights will be on when I'm home to see the fish and go off about when I would usually go to bed. This means I get to use the lights to view the fish and the plants get enough light when I'm not there to thrive.

 

[smbjedi]

go to a garden ridge or any place where they sale floral arrangements. you can find really cool and different plastic plants for a FRACTION of the price that you would pay at a pet store! :grinyes:

 

[grannylvsfish]

any silk plants will do? walmart plants from the silk flower department?

 

[lferg]

go to a garden ridge or any place where they sale floral arrangements. you can find really cool and different plastic plants for a FRACTION of the price that you would pay at a pet store! :grinyes:

Should you boil this stuff first? Is it ok to just rinse and plant?