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Plants: Live vs Silk?

1K views 12 replies 11 participants last post by  vaw103 
#1 ·
Hi there folks!

I've been having a heck of a time keeping my live plants from dying off on me. One rotted away and made a real mess of my tank. The other (not sure what it is) seems to be doing okay, though every so often I have to pick off a brown leaf.

My question though, is given the fact that I don't have much of a green thumb, would it be worth it to switch to silk plants so they don't bother my water levels? I imagine my fish would prefer the live to the silk, but would there be a good reason not to switch, especially if I forsee another plant death in the future?

Tanks!
 
#2 ·
I prefer to use fake plants over real ones. They look great and are soft. Plus as you stated it doesn't affect my water levels. It makes my 2 tanks easier to clean. At the end of the day you have to do what's best for you and decide whats going to make your life easier.
 
#3 ·
I prefer plastic, provided its soft.

Plastic = cheaper and more easily available.

Silk = more expensive and less chance of fin damage on heavy finned males.
 
#7 ·
I think the live plants really help with my water - the live tanks are also much prettier, I think. However, I have found some unwelcome guests will try to come in with/on the plants, so make sure to quarantine them too!

I discovered tiny worms in one tank, and I think I got some bonus actual mystery snails, or at least their origin is a mystery. No idea what kind of snails they really are.

*tosses Coppersafe in Chicory's tank to nuke the last of the nematodes*
 
#8 ·
I have silk fern-like plants in Sparkle's tank. They look real nice + they are soft/flowing + no worries about fins being ripped + tank keeps clean (nothing dying in it) + Sparkle loves to rest/sleep in them. I believe silk is the best way to go especially if you don't have a 'green thumb' and/or don't have time to deal with live plants. NEVER use PLASTIC....toooooo rough on betta fins. Good Luck with your choice :)
 
#9 ·
Thanks so much guys! Sounds like I could go either way, then. I think I'll wait it out with these live ones and see if they make a comeback. (I would love to leave them in if I can). If not, however, I'll chock it up to being a better fish mom than plant mom, and swap to the silk. Thanks for easing my conscience on this one!
 
#11 ·
Mine are mostly silk but for my 20G, I am slowly switching over to live plants. I'm trying to stick with the ones that don't require those uber expensive light setups. I have a T8 fixture and that cost enough! I also don't want to do the co2 thing either. I also use the tetra water wonder plastic plants but I take the bottom thing off and just let them float at the top of the tank. They provide nice cover and I find some of the bettas will just rest in them

Maybe your plants died because they required more light then you had?
 
#13 ·
Have you ever tried those lily bulbs? I bought one. It didn't sprout, but I mailed it back to the company who sells them, and they mailed me back 5 huuuge, fresh, healthier looking bulbs. You don't have to worry about any tag-alongs with them, either. I'm gonna toss them into my tanks the new ones into my tanks today and see how they bloom
 
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