Artificial plants and ornaments that range from decorative to novelty items are terrific additions to your fish tank as they combine to create a marvellous aquascape, the contents of which can be easily positioned, relocated when required, and demand very little maintenance.
Artificial Plants
Artificial plants need only a rinse in freshwater first and a wipe now and again to remove any detritus. Totally safe for your fish, one obvious benefit is that artificial plants won't be eaten and will not need replacing. There will be no need for specialist lighting, fertiliser or CO₂ systems and no fear of the plants outgrowing the aquarium.
The sand or gravel on the bottom of the aquarium will keep the plants anchored, with creativity and careful placement you can create a backdrop that accurately portrays nature or is just an attractive and vibrant setting.
biOrb Easy Plants
Reef One manufacture the biOrb range of plants beginning with simple multi-coloured plants that range from red, purple and pink through to blue, green and black or white. Their products have been designed to be used in conjunction with the ceramic media found in biOrb aquariums but can be used in others.
The collection includes twin packs of different silk plants attached to a unique ceramic weighted ball, so they only need to be dropped into the water. Highly detailed and vividly coloured, they are very naturalistic especially when combined with the natural flow and ceramic media in a biOrb aquarium.
Other biOrb plants include topiary moss, grass rings, packs of assorted plants of different sizes and colours, even a feng shui kit complete with pebbles. Specific plants include the Indonesian Sea Fan plant in white and crimson and the Sea Lily from China that is available in crimson, blue and white.
biOrb Ornaments
Naturalistic biOrb aquarium ornaments that are also decorative will include those designed by Samuel Baker. Root and rock sculptures are in the range together with corals and plants that replicate the real thing found in the waters of the South China Sea and around Hawaii. There are also starfish and clamshell ornaments in various sizes and colours.
Also in the range are Feng Shui pebbles that might introduce beneficial energies, harmonising and balancing the aquarium. The flow of positive energy will be assisted by white pebbles that indicate spiritual and moral purity, black to banish any negative energy, green to promote hope and vitality and also red that indicates power and happiness.
Decorative ornaments from biOrb can be employed to disguise the bubble tube in their aquariums but may also be used in other makes. There is a Classic collection including a Mushroom Tree, Castle, Towers, Coral and a Cobble Chimney even a Goddess in a ruined Grecian temple. There are also barrels, rocks, skulls, volcanoes and sunken 'No Fishing' signs, something to suit most tastes.
Reef One manufacture the BiOrb range of plants beginning with simple multi-coloured plants that range from red, purple and pink through to blue, green and black or white. Their products have been designed to be used in conjunction with the ceramic media found in BiOrb aquariums but can be used in others.
The collection includes twin packs of different silk plants attached to a unique ceramic weighted ball, so they only need to be dropped into the water. Highly detailed and vividly coloured, they are very naturalistic especially when combined with the natural flow and ceramic media in a BiOrb aquarium.
Other BiOrb plants include topiary moss, grass rings, packs of assorted plants of different sizes and colours, even a feng shui kit complete with pebbles. Specific plants include the Indonesian Sea Fan plant in white and crimson and the Sea Lily from China that is available in crimson, blue and white.
Tetra
These floating ornaments will entertain the children, there's a Clownfish that can be anchored to the aquarium glass, together with an Octopus, Doctorfish and Sea Horse that are also in the range. Many lifelike plants are available. As they vary in size from 5 – 46cm, Tetra Plantastics are designed to be used in all sizes of aquariums and placed in the front or rear of an arrangement. There are convincing representations of Ambulia, a plant that is pleasing to look at but quite invasive and difficult to keep, Anacharis (Brazilian Waterweed), Green Cabomba, Red Ludwigia, the delicate Red Foxtail and Hygrophila in addition to three sizes of Amazonian Sword Plants. More than enough to create a lush underwater world without complication.
Fluval
Fluval produce Bamboo and Stone Wall ornaments for their Fluval Edge aquariums that usefully accommodate the filter tube as well as having baskets to contain real or artificial plants. Fluval offer Boxwood and Grass plants that will bring colour and structure to any aquarium. If you have a tall aquarium, Velda have a collection of pond plants approximately 100cm long, these include artificial versions of Waterweed, Hornwort and Ludwigia that stand vertically in the water and act as a perfect habitat to shelter fish.