If you're looking for a low-maintenance plant plastic aquarium plants may be the ideal choice. While they can’t be compared to real plants when it comes to appearance or utility, these artificial aquarium plants serve the basic purpose of adding a natural aesthetic to your fish tank.
Advantages of Using Plastic Aquarium Plants
Plastic aquarium plants are a popular choice for anyone looking for an easy to care for, low-maintenance alternative to live plants in aquariums. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it easy to create realistic-looking aquascapes.
They require minimal maintenance compared to live plants and don't need to be trimmed or replaced. This makes them a good choice for anyone looking to save time and effort without sacrificing too much in the aesthetic appeal of your aquarium.
Overall, plastic aquarium plants are a great option for anyone looking for an easy way to add to aquatic scenery to their fish tank.
Choosing the Right Plastic Aquarium Plants
In an aquarium, artificial plants can provide an attractive, realistic look, helping to create the perfect aquatic environment for fish. For those who want to use artificial plants in their aquariums, it's important to choose pieces that look realistic and follow standard aquascaping practices.
When using artificial plants, it's a good idea to consider factors such as size, shape, and colour so that they complement the setting and add interest to the aquarium. Make sure not to get too excited with the variety of plastic plants. A good practice is to choose 3 plants: 1 large stand-out centrepiece, 3 of the same medium size plants and 1 type of small decoration to fill in the gaps.
This is not a hard rule but a good general rule if you don't know where to start.
Maintenance and Care of Plastic Aquarium Decor
Plastic aquarium plants can be easily cleaned with hot water and a soft brush like a toothbrush. Rinsing plastic aquarium plants with warm water when they are just received can help remove dust and avoid clouding the water.
Artificial aquarium plants do not require the same level of care as real plants, so you don't have to worry about them dying or becoming diseased. However, it is important to regularly clean plastic aquarium plants to prevent the build-up of algae and debris.
In order to minimize the frequency of cleaning, aquariums should not be placed in locations that receives direct sunlight. This will prevent fading and algae growth.
Common problems associated with plastic aquarium plants
Plastic aquarium plants are a great option for those who don't want live plants. However, they can be problematic if not taken care of properly.
Most plastic aquarium plants have a plastic look that isn’t as natural or beautiful as live plants. They are also prone to algae build-up if not cleaned regularly or in tanks that receive lots of light. Besides, not all plastics are created equal and some can also have sharp edges that may potentially injure fish and other smaller creatures.
Plastic plants are bad for fish if:
1. They are not specifically made for the aquarium - they can leach chemicals that are toxic.
2. If the fish has large fragile fins or body parts like male bettas or bubble eye goldfish - their fins or body can be damaged if the plastic plant has sharp edges.
Beyond these concerns, if you follow these tips, you can enjoy plastic aquarium plants without any concerns.
What are the Alternatives to Plastic Aquarium Plants?
Live plants are the most popular alternative to plastic aquarium plants. They can provide a beautiful, natural habitat for your fish. The main negative is they are more difficult to care for.
Adding wood, gravel, and stones to the tank is another great way to add plants without using plastic plants. You can create a nice aquascape with just these materials.
Silk aquarium plants also make a great alternative to plastic aquarium plants. They are generally more realistic looking and typically don't have sharp edges like plastic aquarium plants. The main negative is they are not as durable as plastic plants and fray over time.
Should you choose real or artificial plants for your aquarium?
I would always recommend live plants over plastic plants because of the look and the engagement you get with your aquarium. Real plants also have the added benefit of reducing nitrates in your aquarium. The main things to look at when choosing between the two are the following:
1) How much time do I want to spend maintaining the aquarium?
Keeping live plants is more work than keeping artificial plants. Some of the extra maintenance comes from more frequent cleaning due to algae from high-power lights, possible dosing of nutrients to keep the plants healthy and the possible introduction of CO2 to the aquarium.
2) Are the fish I want compatible with live plants?
Some fish loooove to eat plants like goldfish and silver dollars. If you plan on getting fish like these, fake plants are the better option.
3) Do I have the proper equipment for live plants?
The main difference in equipment is the type of lighting you use. In a planted tank you need powerful enough light that allows your plants to grow, while with fake plants you just want enough light to illuminate your aquarium.
While there is no 'right' or 'wrong' answer to the question of whether or not you should choose real or artificial plants for your aquarium, it ultimately comes down to preference and the type of fish you want to keep.
How do plastic aquarium plants compare in terms of cost and maintenance to real aquatic plants?
When it comes to plastic aquarium plants compared to real aquatic plants, artificial plastic aquarium plants are more expensive upfront but have minimal maintenance. Most live plants can be purchased for less than fake aquarium plants but the upkeep of live plants could be higher in the long run.
Plastic plants on the other hand require minimal upkeep but have a higher upfront cost.
A great example is our coontail 30cm is 9.99CAD you can find hornwort form $2 to $10 depending on the seller. You might get a smaller peace than what you receive with the fake plant but it could grow to that size and bigger with proper care.
In terms of maintenance you have to keep the fake plant clean which is not frequent if you don't use high powered lights. In the case of the live coontail you have to have high powered lights and dose nutrients every so often to keep it healthy. And, if the plant dies then the fake plant would overall be cheaper.
How can I ensure that my plastic aquarium plants look realistic and natural?
If you want to make sure that your plastic aquarium plants look realistic and natural, consider the following tips:
1. Don't choose too many vibrant coloured decorations: Most real plants are green! Make sure to have green aquarium plants and mix them with a few other colours than naturally occur like browns, yellows, and reds.
2. Don't overcrowd your tank: You should avoid overcrowding your tank with decorations when it comes to decorating your tank. Adding too many aquarium decorations makes your aquarium look unnatural and takes away space for fish to swim.
3. Consider products from Aquafuax: We offers artificial plants and decorative pieces designed to look realistic in any aquarium. Their products are made with high quality materials that mimic the look and feel of real plants, giving your tank a natural aesthetic.
Conclusion
Artificial plants have become quite popular among aquarium owners, as they are affordable, easy to maintain, and help create a more natural look. Additionally, plastic plants do not require much space or light and can be placed anywhere in the aquarium. If you’re looking for an affordable plant option that requires minimal upkeep, plastic plants are a solid choice.