plants - how now?

Hello again. I think I've pretty much got my lights, CO2, substrate,
fertilizer, trace elements, and general notion of the type of planted tank I
want all figured out for my big leap. When I set up my 55g tank way back
when, I was intrigued by the notion of a Southeast Asian biotope. I've had
my tank (light-medium) stocked with the typical Asian fish (i.e. cyprinids,
gouramis, loaches, rainbows) and even the plants, albeit artificial. So I
would like to complete the biotope with the real thing on the flora side.
I am now at the point of planning my specific layout and plants. I've come
across several packages offered by online aquatic plant vendors, with one of
them really standing out as being not only a good deal but quality goods
(azgardens). I've also looked at the big online pet supply distributor as
well as my LFS (which is very good) and the PetSmart has live plants -
although their fish aren't any good so why would I believe the plants are
any better? Anyway, I'm leery of the online package just because of the
shipping as well as not seeing what you are getting, imagining small
weakling plants. The DFS warehouse online really doesn't have much of a
selection. Forget PetSmart, My LFS has the real thing but it's pretty
expensive. It would be really nice to get the package online if I were a
little more trusting of it. It would also get my tank pretty well stocked
in one fell swoop. Plus the package is exactly what I'm looking for with
all the plants indigenous to the same place the fish are from... Any
advice?

Arnim

"Arnim" wrote in message
om...
Plus the package is exactly what I'm looking for with
all the plants indigenous to the same place the fish are from... Any
advice?


Buy the package.
Honestly- some of the plants will do better than others regardless. If you
start with a good variety then you can buy locally more of the types that do
well, and not sweat those that don't.
I've purchased from many of the online plant vendors and while some have
definitely been better than others, none have been a horror story by any
means. Well- aside from the snails.

Have you looked at Aquabid?
There are often folks selling entire aquarium plant lots, and they are
usually *big* healthy plants.

--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/aquarium.htm

aquabid! On online e-bay for aquatic plant people. How cool! Thanks Toni.

" Have you looked at Aquabid?
There are often folks selling entire aquarium plant lots, and they are
usually *big* healthy plants.

--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/aquarium.htm

Arnim wrote:

I've come
across several packages offered by online aquatic plant vendors, with one of
them really standing out as being not only a good deal but quality goods
(azgardens). I've also looked at the big online pet supply distributor as
well as my LFS (which is very good) and the PetSmart has live plants -
although their fish aren't any good so why would I believe the plants are
any better? Anyway, I'm leery of the online package just because of the
shipping as well as not seeing what you are getting, imagining small
weakling plants. The DFS warehouse online really doesn't have much of a
selection. Forget PetSmart, My LFS has the real thing but it's pretty
expensive. It would be really nice to get the package online if I were a
little more trusting of it. It would also get my tank pretty well stocked
in one fell swoop. Plus the package is exactly what I'm looking for with
all the plants indigenous to the same place the fish are from... Any
advice?

A counter opinion:

AZ Gardens will treat you right. You will save money, today.

But how would you like to get all of your aquarium supplies free, forever? It's
pretty easy, many of us here do it. How? Your "very good" LFS.

Buy the plants there. Ask their advice, particularly about your local water
supply (ours has 40ppm Nitrate out of the tap 6 months out of the year.) Then
discuss what terms they will offer for your cuttings.

Here's the math: Cuttings from my 72 gallon tank produce $10-20 in credit PER
WEEK at the LFS. Even though store credit sucks because it forces me to buy
slightly overpriced supplies, WHO CARES? EVEYTHING IS FREE!!!!

Here's what I get free:

* Flourish
* Flourish Potassium
* Flourish Iron
* Prime dechlorinator
* Kent RO Right
* Dry food
* Frozen food
* Live food
* Fish
* Gadgets I don't need

Get the picture? A "very Good" LFS is a priceless resource. Support it, and get
FREE FISH STUFF FOREVER!!!!!