Can I use the Fake plants they have @ michaels???? They have some nice looking ones but i wanted to make sure that they would be aquariums safe or not.
Fake plants
- Thread starter FlammingWoodChuck
- Start date
I'm thinking what type of chemicals they use to make the fake plants. As long as there is no toxic substance involved, it should be OK. I really don't have experience with the plants they have a Michaels Crafts Store, but I have used the plastic plants in the past, and it is tuff to put in tanks that have fish that digs them up. Also, when the algae sticks to it, it is hard to clean. But now that there are hi-pressure hoses, it is probably easier to clean it now. I just hated the plants floating back into the surface after just re-planting them.
I was thinking about them floating but i would probly weigh them down with sumthing. I saw a few good looking ones. I could tryit out in a 5g tank and use feeder fish as testers.
Wonder if there is a way to test for toxicity, i.e., heavy metals, copper, or whatever they use to preserve the material they use.
Let us know what results you come up with the test/research about the plants. That's a good idea.
Let us know what results you come up with the test/research about the plants. That's a good idea.
I have used them before, as well as the cheap plants at walmart. Some have a 'flock' type stuff on them, and you want to avoid them. I washed mine with very hot water and super concentrated salt amounts. I also cut them off at the base, because most of them have a metal wire inside the plastic.. It will eventually rust and leach contaminents into the water I believe.. Some plecos will shred them, the types of plecos that eat wood, etc.. I had an adonis pleco munch one up pretty bad, but he is still doing fine. I have made some really nice looking aquascapes with these too.. Check out this pic, 90% of the plants in their are these types of plants..
Kwel. thx miles. So if I were to use them i should cut off any metal??? Did u have to do anything special to keep them doww??? Ill go to Michaels and look at all the diff plants and buy a few.
Yeah.. Try to cut them at the base. Usually I would give them a little bend at the bottom, and plant them underneath a smooth riverock to hold them in place. The ones that I didn't chop off at the base, now have rust spots where I bent them, and I don't think that is any good for the fish. Like I said, look at them closely and make sure they don't have that speckled stuff.. I liked the ones at Walmart for .89 cents, as well as there 3.00 section..
Oh yeah.. Here is a DIY idea for you creative people. Just don't steal my idea and market it!
For my retail store, I will be offering a variety of 'fake planted rocks'. I will take soft stones such as Tufa Rock or Lava rock, and drill cylindrical holes in them. Then I will use aquarium silicone to attach these inexpensive craft plants. The single piece of decor will act as a cave structure, and a tall plant. It weighs itself down, and has a very nice aesthetic look to it. I planned on doing the same with driftwood, but I think i would rather plant the driftwood with live plants instead, as they hold a higher value.
Hasta!
For my retail store, I will be offering a variety of 'fake planted rocks'. I will take soft stones such as Tufa Rock or Lava rock, and drill cylindrical holes in them. Then I will use aquarium silicone to attach these inexpensive craft plants. The single piece of decor will act as a cave structure, and a tall plant. It weighs itself down, and has a very nice aesthetic look to it. I planned on doing the same with driftwood, but I think i would rather plant the driftwood with live plants instead, as they hold a higher value.
Hasta!