Fake Plants

[Squidward]

Hi All,

Well when I set up my tank a few months ago, I wanted a low tech setup with "bomb proof" easy plants.
No CO2 or nutrient substrate but just some easy to grow hardy plants.

Well a few months later I am not happy with the way it looks.
The plants are tatty, poor growth and full of holes.
I tried eSha Pro-phyl but there was no improvement.

So although I said I would never do it, I am seriously considering putting in fake plants.

What is the best/most realistic looking brand of fake/plastic plants?

Thanks
Squidward

 

[lilfishie]

the most realistic ones i have found are silk, can't remember the brand they were though

 

[golfzzin]

What about the Sydeco range?

 

[Squidward]

What about the Sydeco range?

Thanks, I will look out for these.

 

[Rutters19]

Defo the Sydeco range, seen an article in PFF and the plants looked that good i thought they were real!!!

I'll be investing in some of these very soon

 

[twodoctors]

I am also a beginnger and I decided to have real plants from day one. Not sure what plant you have but I too have no CO2 and not bothered with fertiliser for a while now. Been fish keeping for about 4 months.

I don't know the proper name of my plants but one is java fern, which is very hard. No problem with it at all. One of them is Aubius (or something like that). It's not doing as well because the leave is covered with algae. One is some indian weed (see my tank pic) which is very fast growing. I have some background plants as well. I'm sure someone can name them for you.

I also have a few moss balls.

With my real plants, my nitrate is zero (tap water is 20ppm) 1 week after water change. Lights on 7 hours a day. My indian weed also have lots of holes in it but that's because the tiger barbs and bosemani rainbows are eating it!

Maybe that would change your mind?

Adrian

 

[ambrose]

CO2 is easier than you think, a 2 liter soda bottle with yeast sugar and warm water, some airline tubing, and an upside down water bottle cut in half as a diffuser....you don't need a pump but one helps

the kits are expensive and just a dressy version of what i mentioned.

CO2 in the tank makes a huge difference in your plants, and almost immediate results when done right

if you google homemade CO2 diffusers, you will find a lot of simple and effective methods of putting CO2 in your tank
....in my opinion you just can't replace live plants, even a few in a tank make a HUGE difference...i would give this a try before throwing in the towel

 

[symon_say]

I'm just reading a lot on low tech tank, this link might help you:

http/www.sudeepmandal.com/hobbies/planted-aquarium/low-tech-planted-tank-guide/

 

[Squidward]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the encouragement to keep on trying with my live plants.
I don't know. Am just a bit fed up with it. Looks a bit poxy at the moment.

I have read about using carbon tablets. Are they any good?
Are they a suitable substitute to CO2 injection?

Thanks
Squidward