Artificial ornaments

[gatorracer]

So I have been under the impression that it is a bad idea to keep artificial plants and decor like castles and such out of salt water tanks. Is that true? I don't want to throw in any castles or big boats in, but I did like the way you could hide some power cords and heater with a decent looking fake plant. Could someone help me straighten this rumour out? If I can add them they came straight out of my freshwater tank about 2 years ago. How might a guy clean up these so they are ok to put in? Dishwasher with no soap? Just hot ass water?

Thanks in advance......

 

[Anonymous]

I have seen plastic plants left in fish only tanks for long periods of time, I think they are fine. It will get covered in coralline eventually though, if this is a reef tank.

I have also heard of sea horse ownerd sticking a fake plant in the tank to give the sea horses something to hitch as well.

I typically use hot water and white vinegar to clean things that will be going in my tank. My only concern would be if you had treated your freshwater tank with medications, that these fake plants might leach some of that into your reef.