Freshwater

Chapter 5: What to Put and What Not to Put in Your Tank
Many artificial plants are now manufactured with attachments such as caves
and rocks. These types of decorations may incorporate hanging gardens, substrate
caves, and interesting bundles that are bound together in large groups.
Most of the time, these combo decorations do not cost much more than
single plastic plants.
There are many advantages to artificial plants:
Easy to clean: If you have algae problems or water that is accidentally
fouled, plastic plants can be cleaned simply by running warm water over
them and then gently wiping them with a moist cloth. That little sprayer
attachment on your sink works wonders for this job as well.
Easy to care for: Many people don’t have a lot of extra time to spend
trying to keep live plants in good condition, so plastic plants are a great
substitution for those who are constantly on the go. Artificial plants do
not require sunlight, so if you have a busy schedule you don’t have to
worry about the amount of light they receive. This is especially helpful if
you don’t have timer-based lighting that turns your lights on and off
automatically at pre-set intervals.
Live forever: Artificial plants do not die or affect the chemistry of your
tank. Dead plants can make a mess quickly, so plastic plants are a saving
grace to many. Young children often benefit from use of plastic plants in
that they can devote their time to learning how to care for their fish first.
All artificial plants tend to show wear in time, but most will last years.
Won’t be eaten: Plastic plants cannot be easily eaten or torn by more
aggressive species of fish. Nothing is more heartbreaking that to have
your beautifully planted tank destroyed by your beloved aquatic pets. If
you have species that are natural nibblers or havoc seekers, consider
artificial plants so that you don’t have to purchase new live ones on a
regular basis, which can quickly get expensive.
Easy to move: Artificial plants can be easily moved around when it
comes time to clean or redecorate your tank. Just gently remove them
from the substrate by the base and don’t worry about tearing the leaves
or damaging the plants. Most artificial plants have a hard plastic base
that aids in keeping them under the gravel.
Wide variety: There are more choices of colors and sizes if you use artificial
plants because not all fish stores carry live plants on a regular basis.
There are also a few disadvantages to artificial plants:
Can look fake: If you buy poor quality plants, they can look fake and
ruin the look of your tank. Always buy the best quality plants that your
budget will allow.
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