??Silk or live??

by **Nataliey** Fri 30 Apr 2010 - 16:34

Plants

Iv tried both before but not sure which i liked best and wanted to know everyone elses thoughts.
When i bought live plants i got those little annoying snails that just spread and spread even when i thought id got rid of every single annoying snail one would appear Evil or Very Mad

The silk where ok for a while but soon had algae growing on them, even when i cleaned them it would never be as clean as when i bought them.
I really need some plants for both my betta tanks and just dont know what to choose...advise please Smile

by **Haych** Fri 30 Apr 2010 - 18:39

Silk.

I hate keeping live plants as I cant keep them alive! Also, I admit I have live in the breeding tank but silks in all my others - and the breeding tank looks horrid with all the dead bits on the floor and it makes my water go murky quicker

I have bristlenose plecs with the bettas and they clean the silks - except my newer ones dont seem to like work atm Shocked

by **kizno1** Fri 30 Apr 2010 - 18:56

live
im not keen on fake plants. you cant go wrong with java fern and jave moss they can survive with very very low amounts of light. frogbit s a good floating plant to use.

by **Nataliey** Fri 30 Apr 2010 - 19:40

ok guys both made good points but still stuck as its 1 v's 1 at the moment, was actually thinking live but still dont want the hastle of snails...Kizno do you ever have the small snails on the live plants? How would i get rid of the snails if i where to buy the live plants?

by **kizno1** Fri 30 Apr 2010 - 19:45

ive never had a problem with snils on plants. just give them a really good was before you put them in the tank. or if you have a spare tub/tand and a light and heater put them in there with some tank water for a few days and see if there is a out breack of snails and if there isnt then add them to the tank.

by **SheenaShoup** Fri 30 Apr 2010 - 21:53

I like silk, but the fish probably like live better, it can be a hassle, but if you do what Kizno suggests then you won't have to worry, just remember to wash good and let them alone for a few days test before adding them. Very Happy

by **Haych** Sat 1 May 2010 - 1:13

if you dont have snails or shrimps treat the live plants in copper based treatments - it kills invertibrates

by **Nataliey** Sat 1 May 2010 - 20:47

Thanks guys there are some good tips there Very Happy

by **silverrabbit** Sat 1 May 2010 - 21:48

I much prefer silk. The only tank I have any luck with live plants seems to be my goldfish tank, and I think that's due to all the nitrates the produce lol. Even then all I can keep alive are anubias nana and another variety, Java fern and Amazon swords.

Silk are great for me

by **Nataliey** Sun 2 May 2010 - 13:28

Silk plants...how do you keep them clean, is it just a case of wipe clean? Im heading towards the silk at the moment but still unsure. Il have to decide by tomorrow.

by **Haych** Sun 2 May 2010 - 13:37

I use BBNs lol

also a toothbrush

by **Nataliey** Sun 2 May 2010 - 13:47

Thanks Haych thumbup

I think il try silk plants again at least they wont die Shocked

Although saying that my moss balls are still alive and my frogbit.

by **silverrabbit** Sun 2 May 2010 - 22:32

I just tend to rub the leaves a bit lol

by **Nataliey** Mon 3 May 2010 - 16:00

Well just been to pets @ home to buy plants for the tanks, picked up 3 silk plants then came across these cute little plants, called SUPA Natural Fern anyone heard of it??
Well i bought some and it looks beautiful in both betta tanks. Will get photos later got my hands full with my 3 daughters at the mo.

by **silverrabbit** Mon 3 May 2010 - 21:39

Oooh I had them when I first set up my first boy's tank. They went a bit weird after a while (falling apart, looking manky), so might be worth having a little store of them so you can replace as necessary.

The bettas love them though, lovely and soft and look nice in the filter current Smile

by **damo2904** Mon 3 May 2010 - 22:44

yeh i got some of them!

I agree with silverrabbit, they do go abit funny after awhile.

by **Nataliey** Tue 4 May 2010 - 4:05

Thanks silverrabbit & Damo i will get some more just incase, wasnt sure in shop but it was that or live! (didnt have much selection) so i thought id try them. Iv seen more on ebay but different colours so might have to buy some Shocked

any excuse, hehe but they are really nice and Pluto kept swimming through it.
Haku looked as if he liked it but on occasion would flare at it, lol!

by **Nataliey** Tue 4 May 2010 - 13:17

My large supa natural fern before i put in tank:

This morning when i put on the lights the aquarium looked GREEN oh on!
So took out plants this morning, water change, plants got a 2 hour soak, fingers crossed all looks well so far!
I just cant believe my luck so far its been rubbish!
After the water change

In future when something says rince before using i think il soak just to be on safe side, although on the packet it stated that it's not harmful to fish i think Haku didnt like the murky green water!

by **silverrabbit** Tue 4 May 2010 - 23:21

Eeek! Hope you have better luck soon. Think I had blue and orange ones, and they didn't affect the water as far as I can remember, but maybe mine were a diff brand... think mine were from wilkinsons

by **Haych** Tue 4 May 2010 - 23:52

Ebay is brilliant for silk plants - I got 10 for £15 posted (I think it was)

is that tank a fish R fun?

by **Nataliey** Wed 5 May 2010 - 10:03

Haych wrote:Ebay is brilliant for silk plants - I got 10 for £15 posted (I think it was)

is that tank a fish R fun?

Iv been looking at ebays silk plants there's a few i like.
Yes it is a Fish R Fun tank really dont like it but had to get it in a hurry as when i got my first betta i was given really bad advise from the Pets @ Home staff! (Was told i could keep females with a male, said it would calm him down, tut!!) So bought it from The Range cheap.
Want a bigger rectangle tank, so when i find one i like think il be selling this hexagon one. The tank Pluto is in is also a fish R fun tank.

by **Haych** Wed 5 May 2010 - 10:55

oooh I have two of those Fish r Fun tanks with THREE hoods as the lights have blown as theyre not water proof!

by **Nataliey** Wed 5 May 2010 - 12:31

Haych wrote:oooh I have two of those Fish r Fun tanks with THREE hoods as the lights have blown as theyre not water proof!

Well talking about lights when i turned Plutos light on this morning i thought it wasnt going to come on...dim...flicker...off...flicker then came on bright Shocked

its never done that before!
Do you know what type of bulb it takes as i think im going to have to buy another light, cant see what is written on bulb and dont want to take the casing off just in case i cant put it back (rubbish at diy!)

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