Make my own tank plants??

[PintoHawk]

Hey all :)

I was thinking about the plants that are available from typical fish stores, and I was wondering (since I am super craft-inclined) if I could fashion my own designs out of certain supplies, possibly with cheaper costs.

Does anyone know if hot glue would affect the tank? Is it too toxic? Will it break down in the water & chemical makeup over time?
How about crazy glue?

I assume I will need to use plastic supplies only, the stems and leaves and such, but out of curiosity... COULD I possibly use some fabrics, too? Like, say, the fake flowers and such you can buy at Wal-Mart in the craft section? Or will they leak dies, or break down after time?

Mostly I am worried about the glue thing.

Has anyone else tried this? Your tips and advice?

Thanks. If I get some good feedback, and depending on my research on materials, I may try this, and if it works, I will post pictures. :)

[CACAdmin]

Making your own plants sounds like a cool idea.

I think that any kind of glue could be toxic. Use clear silicone. I use GE Silicone II Window and Door for anything that is going into a tank. Make sure you get the Window and Door. (Kitchen & Bath & other silicones contain something which makes them mold and mildew resistant and would be toxic to your fish.)

Make sure of course that the silicone is completely cured before placing iyour creations in the tank.

As far as plastic plants supplies, I'd do a test to make sure the dye doesn't leech out and that they don't contain any metal.

I know people use silk plants in their tanks so that would be a fabric option.

Other members may have additional ideas, suggestions, words of caution.

[Melody]

I moved this to Frugal Fishkeeping, since it would be an economical option that will help others who are trying to pinch their aquatic pennies. :smile:

I have made fry savers from dollar store plants, but you do have to check that they're colourfast in WARM water. I soak mine in a big white bowl so I will see any tint in the water.

I have tightly threaded mine together with fishing line before and weighted it with a plant weight. As long as there's no wire in them (even plastic covered wire) and the colours don't run, they should be fine.

[Melody]

Here is one of my ugly, yet functional, creations...lol:


http://members.linkopp.com/biz/sandpiper/images/MM-FrySaver-Substrate-Top.jpg

http://members.linkopp.com/biz/sandpiper/images/MM-FrySaver-Substrate-Bottom.jpg


I slide the leaves off the wired stem and thread them together. Usually there are two leaves slid over the stem with a little ring of plastic, so it makes them easy to weave fishing line through.:smile:

I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[thegrandpoohbah]

Krazy Glue is safe to use in aquariums. Good luck.

[CACAdmin]

Krazy Glue is safe to use in aquariums. Good luck.
Thanks! Good to know... just don't go sticking your fingers together or to the plants. :wideeyed:

[thegrandpoohbah]

Reefers use it to attach frags. Just check to make sure it's cyanoacrylate. It's even safe for humans. I used to use it to patch skin tears from rock climbing. Stings a little but works better than bandages. In fact, I believe it was originally developed as a surgical adhesive (i.e. Dermabond).

[corrosionjerry]

Thats very interesting... thanks for sharing that inof my poohbah

[Katalyst]

I bought some cheap flagstone and broke it up, some plants from Walmart. I drilled a hole in the flagstone's and siliconed it into place. Works like a charm!

[ameekplec]

Stings a little but works better than bandages. In fact, I believe it was originally developed as a surgical adhesive (i.e. Dermabond).

Just as an aside, if you've ever bought Nu-skin (I think think that's the trade name), it is the same product as crazy glue.

If you want to use some fabrics, use 100% synthetic fibres. If you used fleece, you could even get a mossy 'plant'. With killies, people use synthetic yarn that is frayed, so that could be another material for you to use too.

Good luck!

[PintoHawk]

... and synthetic yarn is safe for the fish? how do I go about making sure the yarn won't leach color into the water? boil it?

[Katalyst]

... and synthetic yarn is safe for the fish? how do I go about making sure the yarn won't leach color into the water? boil it?

I boiled mine for my killie mops, a local guru killie breeder says he microwaves his mops in a glass bowl.

[Melody]

Acrylic only, soak to ensure it's colourfast and boil to make it sink. :smile:

[PintoHawk]

Aha, thanks you guys! Appreciate your info. :)

[pinantanjohn]

Another source of cyanoacrylate (sp) is at the hobby stores. Called ZAP... You can get it in different consistencies like really thick so it won't run or wick under your fingers. It's not cheap, but you get a really big bottle.

John