Homemade Aquarium Plants

Fake aquarium plants have a multitude of purposes in an aquarium. They are used for as decoration and to create an aquascape that is pleasing to the eye. Fake plants also are used to provide hiding places for small fish, break up the line-of-sight in the aquarium and provide a surface upon which beneficial bacteria and algae may grow. Fake plants do not decompose, require little maintenance and provide a plant-like decor in aquariums with fish or or other sea animals that may eat or destroy live plants.

  1. Selection

    • Select plastic plants which do not contain paper, wires or content that is biodegradable. Plants should be free of pesticides, fungicides, paints and other chemicals that will leach into the water. Hobby stores typically have a large variety of plastic plant bunches made from materials that can be used in an aquarium.

    Sizing

    • Pull bunches apart and separate them at the stem in clump sizes that provide the bulk you require.Trim the tops of the plastic if they are too long. Be sure the plants you create will not be too large to fit your aquarium or take up too much of your fish's space. Also, be sure your plants will not be dwarfed by the size of your tank, thus disappearing into the background.

    Layout

    • Layout the sized and trimmed plants in front of the aquarium to determine how they will look installed. Add more plants or adjust the sizes to create the aesthetic balance you are trying to achieve. Remember the size of your plants will increase slightly, once you add a rock base to them.

    Construction and Curing

    • Drill a hole into a rock. Push the fake plant stem into the rock. Coat the entry point with 100 percent pure "aquarium silicone." Push the silicone into the rock hole to further secure the plant in place. Do not use rocks that will leach material into the aquarium, such as concrete or limestone, unless your aquarium inhabitants can tolerate the pH balance change.

      Allow the silicone infused plant and base a full 48 hours to cure. Thoroughly wash the plant and base with hot water. Do not use boiling water, as the temperature may curl or warp the plastic. Allow to dry.

    Placement

    • Place the plants in the aquarium. Push the base into the aquarium substrate -- gravel, sand or other bottom material -- to secure it in place. Double-check to be sure you have left allowable room for your fish to swim around the plants.