Question: Real Plants or Fake Plants

[Sean1364]

I did multiple searches and didn't find a lot on this topic. I have a 40 gallon tank and plan on keeping two small Axolotls. Is it important to have real plants, or are fake silk ones okay?

 

[Azhael]

Surprising, cause this is a very frequently discussed topic.
The thing is, live plants have their advantages and their disadvantages. On one hand, they take ammonia and nitrites from the water, which is very good. They also oxygenate, and give a natural look.
On the other, they create organic debris when they die that will need to be removed (but since you need to remove feces and left-overs anyway, this is hardly a problem), and they obviously need light.

Fake plants obviously lack the benefit of absorving compounds from the water. They don´t create debris, but might require some cleaning every now and then if they get covered in algae or slime (which is detrimental since you will eliminate the biofilm that grows on them). The plus of fake plants is the total lack of lighting requirements.

It´s in the end a matter of preference, although personally i think there is no contest (i´m a die hard supporter of live plants xD).

 

[CherryBlossom]

hmm I have newts so I'm not sure about Axolotls specifically, but when I went to get plants I asked one of the ladies who worked in the store what she would recommend.

She just so happened to have the same kind of newts as me and said that from her personal experience the newts she had stripped the silk plants and shredded them. So she changed to real ones to avoid any silk ones being accidentally consumed.

I hope someone with Axolotls will be able to give you some good advice tho xxxxxxx

 

[lea]

i use fake but that is because i cant keep any plant alive.....i kill cactus........

 

[Mac Myers]

I use live. Live but simple and hard to kill. Java Moss, Java Fern, Anacharis/Elodia (can die but it's cheap), etc. I use small "water lettuce (Pistia Stratiotes) on top to provide shade as well.
they do kick off some organic material but as Azhael pointed out it's no big deal to remove when spot cleaning.... plus it doesn't seem to produce as much ammonia etc. as Pellets or Axolotl Poop !

 

[Aleksthegreat]

I use fake plants, easyer to keep my aquarium clean
but I'm gonna try the Pistia Stratiotes that mac myers suggested to create shade.
I'm not using any light at the moment because my axolotl really hates it..
Also I don't have any expierience with real plants.. so what are the best plants to begin with?

 

[Shizeric]

I use live, they look great and help with water parameters.

 

[Mac Myers]

Also I don't have any experience with real plants.. so what are the best plants to begin with?

I really like Java Moss... if unavailable Java Fern.
The Java Moss can be secured or allowed to sit around. A long as there is no strong current flow then they stay out of the filters. I can't seem to kill it. In fact I end up moving it to other tanks (only have two...... for now).:happy:

 

[Shizeric]

Just like Mac says...java ferns and mosses are pretty darn hard to kill...I have one that I do nothing for, it is anchored to driftwood, and is growing like mad.

 

[avstralijanka]

I agree that it's all about balancing the pros and cons of each. Live plants offer natural benefits like oxygenation and absorbing compounds, which is great for the ecosystem. However, their maintenance can be a bit more demanding, especially with light requirements and debris management. Fake plants, on the other hand, are hassle-free in terms of upkeep, though they miss out on some of the biological benefits live plants provide. It comes down to personal preference and what fits your needs best!

Real Plants:

• Require regular care (watering, sunlight, pruning).
• Offer natural air purification and humidity regulation.
• Can improve mood and mental well-being.
• Need proper soil, containers, and sometimes fertilizers.
• Attract insects like bees or mosquitoes.
• Are eco-friendly and biodegradable.

Fake Plants:

• Low maintenance (no watering, no sunlight).
• Do not purify the air or offer any natural benefits.
• Can be placed anywhere without concern for lighting conditions.
• Made from synthetic materials (plastic, silk).
• May gather dust and require occasional cleaning.
• Can last for years without fading if cared for properly.

 

[Niels D]

I see this old post is revived, but why not. A great part of the hobby for me is creating a little ecosystem (not completely of course, but you know what I mean) and an aesthetically pleasing one. Rocks, bits of wood, all kinds of critters (snails, crustaceans etc), substrate, seed pods, leaves, mosses and live plants all used for hardscaping your own little micro world... and to be honest: Live plants just don't look that good if you ask me.

 

[JM29]

And don't forget :
Some plants excrete antagonistic substances which help fight against cyanobacteria (examples : Ceratophyllum demersum, Egeria densa).