Real plants vs. fake plants

[McPhenius]

I have a question regarding real & fake plants. I understand the benefit of real plants as far as water conditions, etc. O2, Co2, reduce Ammonia, food for some fish, etc.

However, I am curious on the pros of the fake plants. I currently have three small live plants in my tank and have some fish that like heavily planted tanks.

As far as cover, protection, etc. Will fake plants suffice?

Hypothetically, if one were to have perfect water conditions and a heavily planted tank of fake plants, would that be beneficial?

 

[rdd1952]

I think most people (me included) think real plants look better and more natural. Fake plants don't really move with the water like real plants.

To answer your question though, there isn't any reason you couldn't have a take full of fake plants. There are even advantages to having them also. You don't need to upgrade your lighting and only have to burn your lights when your home to view them. With real plants, you need at least 2 watts per gallon of lights and that means power compacts in most cases. You also have to burn the lights at least 8 to 12 hours a day.

 

[nodding_dino]

if all you would like to achieve is cover and protection for your fish, then yes, I don't suppose it really matters whether the plants are fake or not. The only thing I would say (and I must admit that I have looked at plastic plants for a long time) is that I'd be suprised if you could match the sheer density of leaves and stems that 'real' plants provide by using plastic ones alone.

 

[McPhenius]

if all you would like to achieve is cover and protection for your fish, then yes, I don't suppose it really matters whether the plants are fake or not. The only thing I would say (and I must admit that I have looked at plastic plants for a long time) is that I'd be suprised if you could match the sheer density of leaves and stems that 'real' plants provide by using plastic ones alone.

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I agree and I am just hypothetically speaking. I have no desire to create a dense population of plastic plants in any tank. One thing I noticed at a local PetCo was a brand of fake plant that looked so realistic with color, density, etc. More than just plastic.

I'm trying live plants for the first time and have three small ones in my 25 gallon tank. But I do not have special lighting. I'm hoping the South Florida sun shining into the room will help.

But if not, at least I know I can keep fake plants )

 

[Angry_Platy]

I thought about setting up the 10gal as a fully planted "fake tank"....like done like an Amano tank but using fake plants.

 

[rdd1952]

I would also suggest silk plants if possible. Some of the plastic plants are stiff and can scratch fish if the bump into or rub against them. Betta's tails and fins are especially susceptible to that.

 

[morgan]

I used to have a mix of real and fake plants. I only have real ones now as I read on here that someone's fish got spiked on a fake plant. I got rid of mine after that.

 

[afireinside]

I use fake plants, I don't got enough money. Over time, they will develop a coat of algae and look real.

 

[illusion54]

I've never considered watching and staring at my fish tank something i do in my sparetime until i got real plants. We arent the only ones that can tell a plant is fake, the fish can easily tell too.

Real plants for a happier aquarist and happier fish.

 

[Jen]

I have fake plants for the first 6 years of my tank, and have been fully planted since january.

I miss the ease of the fake plants - no special equipment ... no $400 light fixture, no $200 co2 (when I get it), no chemicals. But what I love most about real plants, is the interaction my fish have with the plants. I never saw my fish in the fake plants. They swim in all my plants, and hide in them at night time.

It's deffinatly more natural looking. I don't think I would go back to fake.