New Tank Plant Help

[Tathar]

Hey guys,

Currently I've only got two 'plants' in my small tank, its 27 litres and 11 x 12 x 12 with a bowed front. Both of them are artificial, I'm not sure I want to use real plants yet. I want to create some more plant cover in the tank.

Is it vitally important that my fake plants and the such dont touch the heater? And does it matter if the heater or part of the filter are hidden from view? Will it still heat the tank properly? Will having too many of them make maintenance a pain, with using the gravel vac and such?

Thanks for any help, I just want to make sure I get these things right.

 

[Rynofasho]

Chances are some contact with the heater will not damage them. I wouldn't necessarily suggest resting them up against it flush or anything, but I have a fake plant that contacts the heater and I've seen no issues. If you're that worried about it, just keep your eye on a particular point of contact for a few days to see if you notice any issues.

Being hidden is no issue, water transfers heat well.

Maintenance with fake plants is easier than with live since you can bash them around with no worries of physically harming them. Just have to rebury them if they are 'uprooted.'

 

[Tathar]

Chances are some contact with the heater will not damage them. I wouldn't necessarily suggest resting them up against it flush or anything, but I have a fake plant that contacts the heater and I've seen no issues. If you're that worried about it, just keep your eye on a particular point of contact for a few days to see if you notice any issues.

Being hidden is no issue, water transfers heat well.

Maintenance with fake plants is easier than with live since you can bash them around with no worries of physically harming them. Just have to rebury them if they are 'uprooted.'

Alright, thanks. Obviously I need to make sure they are not in the way of the filter intake though, yes? I'll post up some pictures at some stage when I've bought some more fake plants and added to my tank

 

[Rynofasho]

Pics would help. I have a fake one right next to the filter with no issues. The 'pull' from the intake isn't super strong or anything (in most cases) so it should be ok. Again, just watch it for a bit and if it looks like there is a decent chance it is going to be pulled in and disrupt your filter, just move it a few cm and call it a day.

 

[Tathar]

I got a few more plants today, two from my girlfriend who isn't using them in her tank any more, and three more in a 'variety pack' from my LFS. I'll fiddle around with my arrangement tomorrow and show you guys what it turns out like

 

[Tathar]

Rearranged all my plants again... so thats twice now... and I think it all looks pretty good... I'll get a photo up soon after the water clears a little bit...

 

[stubert]

ive spent so long re-arranging bloody plants

also if you have enough plants shouldnt really need to vac the tank i never do

 

[Tathar]

ive spent so long re-arranging bloody plants

also if you have enough plants shouldnt really need to vac the tank i never do

Fake plants... lol, will have to vac at some point.