Is it safe to put artificial flowers in a fish tank?

Like fake orchids from wal-mart or the dollar store. Sometimes I see some really nice ones and know they would look so exotic and cool in the tank. But would they degrade in the water, or poison the fish with the glue used to attach them to the stem? Anybody else ever done this?

Is it safe to put artificial flowers in a fish tank?
I know lots of people do it, but I wouldn't. You just never know what materials were used in the manufacturing process.





MM
Reply:Fish tanks are fussy things. First you should remember what it is your trying to do. You are trying to creating a natural environment for your fish. I am an avid fisherman and I have never seen silk or plastic flowers in the ocean unless someone has thrown them in the water. The best advice I could give you is to go to your local pet shop. Then buy either real plants or the artificial ones they sell there. They also have a verity of ornaments to make you tank look like the bottom of a lake or an underwater paradise. The flowers that they sell at wal-mart or the dollar store are not made for a fish tank...Best of luck with your tank...
Reply:Do you mean like the fake flowers for vases and stuff? I know of lots of people who do it without any ill effects.
Reply:You can use the ones specifically made for fish tank use. Don't use the ones because they often will have paint, dyes, perfumes and other things on or in them that will leech into the tank water which may be toxic or damaging to your fish. With time, anything kept underwater is also going to get a coat of algae on it too. Most of the not made for fish tanks plants also don't have completely covered plastic stems so any exposed metal is going to corrode in water, possibly poisoning your tank.
Reply:Artificial plants are presumably safe. Most are made of plastic, which does not degrade, erode, or break down.





However, make sure they are aquarium safe. Some use harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process that could go into your aquarium.





I've used artificial plants in my saltwater tank for several years. Not only do they give more beauty, but provide a resting place for some types of fish. My blue tang slept between the "stems" of an artificial plant for months until he was too big to hide there.





I believe they are safe. The ones I have, I bought them from the local pet store and from Meijers.





There should be no glues used making these. If you bought some you would see that. Almost all are produced with injection molding. The stems and leaves and different parts are held together with a kind of ball joint. It's hard to describe, exactly, but if you spent $2, you will see for yourself.
Reply:You can buy lots of fake plants for the aquarium, but I'm not so sure about the ones you mentioned. If they use hot glue, it shouldn't be a problem. But some other glues might be bad.
Reply:yes its safe
Reply:yes you can put fake plants in a fish tank it would not harm the fish or do anything to the water. just make sure that you rinse them off before you put them into the tank.
Reply:Yeah. Companies like Tetra make plastic plants. They are much less easier to care for, and require hardly any care, although real plants filter the water
Reply:do you mean fake plants if you do don't worry loads of people have fake plants in their aquarium put i would get real ones they are much more realistic and you can buy big ones and they let of oxygen

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