fake coral/anemones?

[Cantra]

I was wondering if its safe to put fake corals/anemones in a tank. I know that the places that sell them say that their safe I just want to make sure that it is and that it wouldn't kill my fish.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

They're safe - just rinse them off good in purified water before you put them in your tank. They'll end up looking pretty grungy in a months time though.

 

[Ziggy953]

I agree with Kurt. You'll have to clean them off pretty regularly.

 

[melosu58]

They'll end up looking pretty grungy in a months time though.

I agree. They never stay looking nice.

 

[flanque]

Wouldn't that depend on how clean your tank stays? I have to admit, with my blenny and coral beauty, I practically get no visible algae, though, perhaps on brightly coloured fake coral it might become more apparent.

There's a website, Artificial Coral Reef Aquarium Inserts for Saltwater Fish Aquarium, Artificial Coral Reef Aquarium Inserts for Marine Fish Tank, Freshwater Fish Artificial Coral Reef Inserts which has some VERY impressive ones.

 

[Mitchell0605]

Why not whack some real ones in there? What fish do you have other than the Blenny (which I'm assuming is a Lawnmower) and the CB?

 

[flanque]

Have a look at my lights.. they're too expensive where I live and the heat... well, then I'd have to buy a chiller. Plus, fake ones don't die and I wont need to maintain all the various specific levels.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Chiller? Naw... you can keep plenty of nice coral with just PC (power compact) fluorescent lighting and that doesn't generate much heat at all. Even with VHO, you don't need a chiller. But you're right about the other stuff!

Regardless of how clean the tank stays, the snails won't keep the fake plastic stuff clean enough to really look nice - or even real, for that matter.

 

[melosu58]

Even with VHO, you don't need a chiller. But you're right about the other stuff!

I agree. Even with my VHO`s the water stays at a good 78 degrees.

 

[flanque]

OK, well, they're still way too expensive in my area. Unfortunately...

 

[ryshark]

I have 2x 250-watt halides with T5HO, I live in a hot part of California and I still don't use a chiller. Fans work great! I will admit that I do keep the AC on 24/7 in the summer but only at 77-78. Its not too expensive if you go really slow with it. You can buy a decent sized maricultured piece for around $40-$60

 

[thincat]

Just take your time and you'll have a very nice tank.