GrandLocomon Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 I just picked up some 3 feet long plants from rave for $2.50 each. They were in the craft section, but strongly resemble aquarium plants with the way they branch. Also the attachments of the leaves to the stem is typical of cheap aquarium plants. In fact, they are almost the same as these (except the base of my ones all join into one thick stem whereas this product is 3 different parts attached to a base): http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/351263782182?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Does anyone have any experience in using these sort of craft items as aquarium decorations? Is there a good way to tell if they are safe for use or not? I've currently got them soaking in a bucket to see if they are colourfast, then I intend to silicone them to a base. If this works out I will be really happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Do they say not intended for aquarium use because if they do, theres probably a reason for that. They wouldnt have wanted to put that on there otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandLocomon Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 No they don't say that. They don't actually say anything. It just had a price tag on it. I've noticed the bottom stem/branching is plastic coated wire, so that will be removed. Now that I've noticed that, I'm 95% confident it is otherwise the exact same thing as the marineland 3 foot plant. I've seen a video of it up nice and close on YouTube and it is visually identical. However, just because it looks the same, doesn't mean it is. The material may be somehow different or it may have been treated/not been treated for aquarium use. This is now my only concern. At this point, unless someone has some anecdotal horror story, I'm going to try it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 If you are going try it out, maybe do so in a bucket with a single fish...... rather than a tank full of them. With the wire I dont like it, but once the wires out..... who knows. Tried to message seller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandLocomon Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Rave is like a $2 store. The girl at the checkout asked me what I was going to use them for (her tone made it sound like she had no idea what anyone would want them for) and I said I'm going to use them in an aquarium. She didn't say anything about it, but one can't really expect that she'd know if it were ok or not. I did have plants that have wire in them and were intended for aquarium use. The wire rusted, but nothing happened to the fish. Needless to say, those plants have ended up in the bin and that is why I was definitely going to remove the wired portion. I have plenty of small tanks that I could set up for the fishes and use a portion to see if they are ok. I'm going to check whether they seem to leach anything into water by itself first though. If they do I will find some other use for them instead (maybe just bin fodder bahahaha). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 I did have plants that have wire in them and were intended for aquarium use. The wire rusted, but nothing happened to the fish. Needless to say, those plants have ended up in the bin I had the same experience. Dark grey/green flat Fern ones. Only knew they were rusting by redbrown stains on plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Give em a rinse first I just got some from bargain city for $2ea and a heap of green dye I think from the leaves came off but then eventually the rinse was clear So far in my display tank without any issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
