Building and caring for your home aquarium is a joyful experience. You get to interact with varying species and indulge in setting up your dream space.
Besides the fish species, the tank decoration matters a lot too. They serve as hiding spots for the fish and allow them to rest when they are tired. But unfortunately, managing live aquatic plants in a tank is a hassle. So, beginner aquarists opt for the next best thing – silk aquarium plants.
They are artificial fixtures that are easy to maintain, long-lasting, and very attractive in home aquariums. If you are looking for the best silk aquarium plants, this article will answer your queries.
Silk Aquarium Plants (Our Picks)
With so many online options, choosing the best silk aquarium plants can be a tedious task. You have to prioritize the appearance, but you also need to keep a check on the functionalities too.
We delved into many options and have come up with our top picks on the list.
1. biOrb Silk Plant Set
When choosing a silk plant set, you don’t have to splurge out all your savings. The biOrb Silk Plant Set is a two-plant set for under $20. Available in two color matches – green and red, the plants add dimension to your aquarium.
The expansive design of the leaves offers amazing hiding spots, which is a benefit too. If you have small and delicate fish species in the tank, this plant set is a good addition. The rounded and flexible leaves don’t inflict damage to the fish.
Weighing around 0.25 pounds, the plants come with a weighted bottom that fixes them to the substrate. Also, they are quite versatile and thrive in freshwater and saltwater tanks.
Why should you get it?
- Affordable pricing
- Flexible and delicate design
- It comes in a pack of two
- Versatile for any tank set-up
2. Aquarium 10-inch Silk Plants
Looking for life-like silk plants to add to your aquarium? Well, nothing beats the Aquarium 10 inch Silk Plants. This one is specifically designed for betta fish tanks, especially with the larger leaves and bright green color.
The durable and high-quality silk fabric blends in the water comfortably and doesn’t hurt the fish. Since bettas are quite small, you want plants that don’t have ragged edges. In addition, the plant features non-toxic and odor-free color, which doesn’t change the water’s chemistry.
Integrated with a weighted ceramic bottom base, the plant stays put in the tank, allowing easy installation. Thanks to the high-quality construction, you can affix it in any water condition – freshwater or saltwater.
Why should you get it?
- High-quality silk fabric
- It doesn’t feature toxic color
- Easy to fix into the tank’s substrate
- Ideal for any water parameter
3. Green Moneywort Foreground Silk Plant by Marina Naturals
When talking about artificial aquarium plants, Marina Naturals is a leading name. The green moneywort plants add a premium look to the tank, especially if you want a blend of color.
Besides the high-quality silk material, the natural translucent look blends with the aquarium water. From afar, it doesn’t look fake, which is why it is such a popular choice.
The non-toxic silk material with the ceramic base makes the installation process easy and non-complicated. Also, if you are worried about the water chemistry, that isn’t a point of concern with this plant.
Why should you get it?
- Premium quality silk material
- Looks natural and real
- It comes with a ceramic base
- It doesn’t affect water chemistry
4. Red Foreground Silk Plant by Marina Naturals
Another popular silk plant from Marina Naturals is the red foreground. The bright red color of the plant adds a contrast to the aquarium water. Pair that with a lower price of under $10, and you are already winning.
Despite being an artificial aquatic plant, they have a natural flair and look to them. The bottom of the plant is fitted into a ceramic base that sits stably on the substrate. Additionally, the non-toxic silk material retains the water parameters for the ultimate health of the fish.
The plant measures 5-6 inches in length and is an ideal option for smaller aquariums that house smaller fish species like betta and cichlids.
Why should you get it?
- Natural translucent appearance
- Ideal for smaller fish tanks
- Affordable pricing
- It comes with a ceramic base
5. Otimark Realistic Faux Silk Aquarium Ficus
If your budget is around $20, the Otimark Realistic Faux Silk Aquarium Ficus is a pretty great choice. Ficus plants add dimension and beauty to the aquarium, especially for the small fish species.
Otimark’s silk ficus tree simulates the appearance of a real-life ficus with bright green leaves and a brown stem. The life-like appearance sets it apart from the other silk plants in the market.
The base features a high-quality ceramic material that is water-resistant and stable on the bottom of the aquarium. Designed with the high-quality silk material ensures you can use it in saltwater and freshwater setups.
Why should you get it?
- It looks like a live ficus tree
- Designed with non-toxic materials
- Easy to install
- Durable in different water composition
6. Green Pickerel Silk Plant by Marina Naturals
Another under $10 silk plant worth considering is the Green Pickerel Silk Plant. This is another popular choice from Marina Naturals. The pickerel plant features a blend of red and green, which adds to the overall appearance of the tank set-up.
Besides the vibrant colors, the plant features a natural, translucent-looking design that adds to the look. The best thing about this plant is that the color doesn’t fade over time. So, if you are worried about needing to change the plant every few months, you won’t have to worry about the same.
The bury base with ceramic makes the plant easy to install, especially if you have an aquarium gravel base. Pair that with the non-toxic silk material, and you won’t have to complain about affecting the water quality in the aquarium.
Why should you get it?
- Affordably priced
- It has a natural, translucent appearance
- Ceramic base for easy installation
- Non-toxic silk material
7. Marineland Multi-Pack Assorted Silk Plants
Are you one of those people that has a hard time making decisions? If yes, the Marineland Multi-Pack Assorted Silk Plants are just what you need. Not just one kind, this comes with an assortment of silk plants that you can install into your aquarium.
The multipack silk plants contain a blend of red, green, and different shaped plants that spruce up the tank’s appearance. They make good hiding spots for the smaller fish species in the tank.
The only downside to this variant is the lack of a ceramic base. Instead, you’d have to tie the plant to the aquarium’s base to hold it in place.
Why should you get it?
- Premium quality choices
- It comes with different varieties of plants
- Perfect for smaller fish species
- Affordable price
8. Balacoo Aquarium Reptile Plants
Finding reptile silk plants for your aquarium can be tough, especially if you have a low budget. This one from Balacoo is priced under $15 and is easy to install, clean, and maintain. Since these are hanging plants, the back comes with suction cups that you can attach to the side of the aquarium.
The life-like simulated design of these plants makes them perfect for aquariums, especially if you want to spruce up the appearance. But, not just for aquariums, they also make good additions to reptile tanks.
The durable, non-toxic plastic and silk material ensures prolonged usage without damage. Also, they are easy to clean. You need to dunk them into the water and scrub it clean.
Why should you get it?
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Non-toxic silk material
- Ideal for fish and reptile aquarium
- Translucent, life-like design
How to Clean Silk Aquarium Plants?
Since silk aquarium plants are made with artificial plastic and silk-fabric, cleaning them is not a hassle. All you have to do is follow the steps mentioned:
- Start by removing the silk aquarium plant out of the tank
- Take a bucket of warm water and dunk the plant in it to get rid of algal deposition on it
- In another bowl, add ½ cup of iodized salt and lemon juice to make a thick paste
- Using a toothbrush, take the paste and scrub it on the leaves and stem of the silk plants
- Once done cleaning, run the plant under hot water again to remove the excess salt
- You can either use paper towels to dry them or put them back into the tank
Remember that if the algal deposition is beyond control, we’d recommend that you discard the silk plant and get a new one to install.
Things To Consider When Buying a Silk Aquarium Plant
Buying an artificial silk aquarium plant is an ideal choice for beginner aquarists. They are easy to maintain and don’t alter the water’s chemistry.
However, buying silk aquarium plants needs planning. There are certain factors you need to consider before making the purchase.
1. Quality of the Material
Silk aquarium plants are available in abundance. However, we’d recommend buying from reputed brands and sellers. Random brands offer very low-quality fabric material, something that doesn’t last long in the water.
So, pick the water-resistant and high-quality translucent silk material that will last long. The reviews should give you a comprehensive idea of the best options.
2. Non-toxic Material
When choosing the material of the silk aquarium plant, you also need to prioritize non-toxic material. These include the color of the leaves and the stem of the plant. Ideally, choosing non-toxic options ensure that the aquarium water’s chemistry isn’t compromised.
If the paint leaks from the leaves or the stem, it will eventually affect the quality of the water, something that you don’t want to experience.
3. Type and Design
Silk aquarium plants come in different types. You have creepers, ferns, mosses, and even unique plants like pickerel and moneywort. Whatever the options are, pick the one that you think will blend in well with your aquarium’s design and layout.
4. Durability
There’s no point spending your money on a silk aquarium plant if it doesn’t even last for a few years after cleaning. Despite the affordable price point, a good-quality silk plant should last 1-2 years.
So, ideally, you should choose the best options that will last for a good few months, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them now and then.
5. Affordability
Last on the list of factors to consider is affordability. There are pricey silk plants over $50, and then you have the ones under $10. Both are equally good, provided that you are buying from somewhere reliable.
FAQs
The main difference between a silk plant and the standard artificial plant lies in its durability. The plastic plants are more durable, while the silk plants are more likely to damage, wear, and tear.
The main reason your silk aquarium plants are changing to brown is algal deposition. It happens from organic matter decomposition on the plant, which you should avoid at all costs.
The majority of the silk aquarium plants are made with polyester and plastic material. However, a few expensive variants feature silk fabric in them too.
It is hands down one of the best tricks for aquarium set-up. Mixing a blend of artificial and real plants ensures spruce up the appearance of the aquarium. Also, if the real plants die, you always have the artificial ones as a backup in the tank.
Silk plants are more or less compatible with any fish species in the aquarium. However, since they are very delicate, we’d recommend not keeping them with larger, predatory fish species.
Wrapping Up
Adding silk plants to your aquarium is an easy and effective way to spruce up the look of your tank. They are delicate and make the tank look livelier. So, if you have small and delicate fish species in the tank, adding silk plants offer them comfort and prevent risks of injuries.
With such a diversity of faux silk plants in the market, choosing one can be a hassle. We hope this article gives you a detailed insight into the top available choices in the market.