How to Make Vines for Your Aquarium

Artificial aquarium vines give your fish tank the appearance of a natural underwater setting without the hassle of having to keep real aquatic plants alive. Fish can eat or dig up real plants, making actual aquarium vines a potentially expensive experiment to see whether they last in your tank. Artificial vines purchased at pet supply stores can also be costly. However, you can create your own vines at home using less expensive plastic plants from craft stores and common rocks.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat slate rocks
  • Bristle brush
  • Water
  • Pot
  • Stove
  • Drill with masonry bit
  • Plastic vines or vine-like plants
  • Scissors (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Scrub your slate rocks thoroughly with a bristle brush and water.

    • 2

      Place the rocks in a pot and cover them with water. Place the pot on the stove and boil the rocks in the water for three hours.

    • 3

      Allow the rocks to soak in cold water for 24 hours to finish treating them for aquarium use. Remove them from the water after this period and let them dry.

    • 4

      Drill one or more holes completely through each rock using a masonry bit and a slow operating speed.

    • 5

      Remove any components of the vines or plants that are not solely plastic, such as tape, wire or fabric pieces. If you are using a plastic plant with several vine-like strands, cut the strands into long, individual pieces.

    • 6

      Rinse the vines with warm water.

    • 7

      Place one vine into each hole you drilled in the rocks. Wedge them tightly to secure them in place. Tie knots in the bottom ends of the vines on the undersides of the rocks if necessary.

    • 8

      Place your aquarium vines in your aquarium to suit your aesthetic tastes and the needs of your fish. The vines will reach upward like tendrils but be secured in place by the rocks.