Plastic and Silk Plants....

[sunny_8]

Hi All,

New starter here. I have a question about plants.

I am just looking to get some greenry in the tank, but cannot affod the pet store plants.

Aquarium plants from the pet store are an arm and leg to buy.

Can I put in the plastic or silk ones from a Hobby Lobby or Floral place ?

If so anything I need to know ?

Thanks,

~S

[cocoa_pleco]

you can get some from craft stores as long as there are no metal wires in them

[Lauren B.]

I thought about doing the same (I couldn't find any petstore plastic plants in a particular color), but the girl in the craft store floral dept. told me that some silk plants are sprayed/treated with a starch-type of substance to keep them stiff. I don't know that it's a water-soluble material and that you can wash it off.

Just something to consider.

[sunny_8]

Thanks for the replies...that was fast.

So I guess I will go to the craft store, will NOT buy silk ones.
I will find some plastic ones without wires and any glitter etc.....just basic green stuff.

Just wanted to make sure the fish will not die....

thanks,

~S

[jweintraub]

I know everywhere you go things are priced differently, here in Germany the fake plastic plants are very expensive, while the real ones are very reasonably priced.

[jeffs99dime]

personally, i think that the silk variety of fake plants look more authentic. they are more expensive though

[bettaboy691]

if your after some real ones, or even some good deals on fakes, try looking on the net, always some good deals to be found, ebay is a goo dplace to start

[Severus]

if your after some real ones, or even some good deals on fakes, try looking on the net, always some good deals to be found, ebay is a goo dplace to start

If you get free shipping. If you cant, try and order enough stuff at once to make shipping worthwhile

[kimmers318]

I personally would stay away from floral/hobby plastic or silk plants for a tank, as mentioned, it isn't cheap to fill a tank with decor, I figure if someone hasn't already come to this conclusion that the floral/hobby stuff is safe, it probably isn't. I am guessing the types of dyes used are probably not safe. If you do choose to go that route, please try to sterilize it by either boiling or using a bleach solution followed by a dechlorinate bath.
I also prefer the silk aquariumm plants as they have nice heavy bottoms to anchor in the substrate rather than a plastic cup you have to fill with gravel. Plastic plants will float if not anchored well....silk will sink.