Silk Aquarium Plants - Advantages, Pricing and Pictures

Silk aquarium plants are a wonderful solution to having full and vibrant plants all the time with minimum responsibility and maintenance. Not only do these silk aquarium plants provide realistic beauty but they convey realistic movement unlike plastic plants. Real plants differ from silk plants because they do not alter the chemistry of the water. They do not produce waste or debris that will pollute or cloud the water and they do not need to be trimmed or tended to. Overall silk plants provide a realistic alternative to aquarium gardening without the added work.

Unlike the original fake aquarium plants, the silk plants sold in aquatic retail stores today are very much like the real thing. These fake silk plants are so realistic that it is not noticeably unreal unless viewed within a close proximity. For the sake of realism, silk aquatic plants have been fashioned after the real thing right down to the last detail of color, size, shape and proportion. Most of the natural aquatic plants are replicated for use in the aquarium hobby. You can find many of the plant species from a variety of grass, fern and moss to broad, small and long leaved foliage. There are over 56 different varieties of silk plants available at aquatic retail locations and websites.

When it comes to fake aquarium plants there are two choices: silk and plastic. These are both great solutions to a planted aquarium with as little maintenance as possible. They both offer realistic decoration while offering practical shelter and refuge for fish. The difference between silk and plastic plants is that the silk plants provide natural movement much like real plants do Plastic plants do not provide the same natural movement but they are much more durable and sturdy. If you have disruptive fish such as cichlids you would want the more hearty plastic plants. If your fish are not so rambunctious the decision is yours to make depending upon what you prefer. A single aquarium can contain both textures of silk and plastic plants if that is your preference.

Silk aquarium plants come in a wide range of sizes from 4-20 inches. The plants start from as little as $1.00 and can cost as much as $11.00 for the larger plants. Silk plants are designed to be used in freshwater or marine aquariums with realistic plant species for each type of waterscape. These plants can be used to hide air stones and other submerged aquarium equipment. They are usually anchored by a heavy stone base or a hollow, weightless cup filled with gravel or substrate.

When decorating your aquarium, use plants of different heights in order to create depth and dimension. Start with the tallest plants toward the back corners and work the gradually shorter plants toward the front and center. This will help give your aquarium an aesthetically pleasing look.

When looking to decorate your aquarium, search for the plants that are specifically manufactured for your water type. Sea Garden is one of the more popular brands to manufacture silk aquarium plants. The Sea Garden Saltwater Series is specially designed for saltwater aquariums. These plants are modeled after real plants you might find in the ocean such as seaweed and kelp. Sea Garden Freshwater Series Aquarium Décor is specially designed plants that look like real live freshwater plant species such as the tiger lotus and the Amazon sword plant. Another popular brand of silk plants is Tetra. Tetra Silk Water Wonders manufactures a great selection of silk plants to add to any under waterscape. This brand provides a wide selection of plants in many different shapes and sizes.

Fake plants are also great in kids’ aquariums. Aquariums are a great way to teach children responsibility. Cleaning the aquarium, feeding the fish, and watching them grow are wonderful and exciting ways to get your children to learn a little bit of responsibility. Real aquatic plants could be difficult for a child to tend to when first learning how to take care of their new fish tank. Silk plants provide the perfect solution to beginner planted aquariums.

There is little maintenance required in the care of your silk plants. Once in awhile, as you are cleaning your aquarium you may need to remove your silk plants to give them a quick scrub down. Never use soap or cleaner that is not safe for the inside of your aquarium. The main concern is to not disrupt the biological bacteria that prevent ammonia and nitrite buildup. This very valuable and fragile defense could not withstand the addition of damaging chemicals to the aquarium.

The great advantage to using silk plants is that there are so many species available for purchase. When using real plants you may not be able to attain the species you want at the time of the year you want it. Also, some plants are not allowed in certain areas of the world because of species control reasons. Silk plants allow you to obtain that certain look you want without having limitations such as these.

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Silk Plant

Silk Plants

Plastic Plants