I order mostly from AquariumPlants.com and they have good plants. BUT this time of the year the weather is or is getting really cold in area's so I personally won't order plants. Some plants just don't handle the cold during shipping. I need some plants but am waiting till spring when temps start raising. If your in FL you could order from ExtraPlant.com as they are in FL also.
A water changer like the Python or Aqueon versions is a real asset for water changes. Way easier than buckets. There are demos on YouTube.
well i think that going to the pet store and buying plants is better than shipping plants,and also most fish like real plants and plus they make the tank look prettier and you dont have to buy so many toys because to many wouldn't look pretty
I live in Indiana. Pretty old here right now. I just ordered plants off of Aquabid.com and they came in just a box in ziplock bags. So far they seem to be alive. Maybe it's not ideal. But it seems alright.
Strike that, Petsmart is out of the question due to their prices. I will probably just have to wait until spring and order from Aquariumplants.com. They have a package deal for hardy low light plants of 60 plus for $99. Petsmart wants $6 to $8 per plant. May work for additions, but not for initial stocking.
Alot depends on the species of plants you buy. Some can handle a short amount of time in cold weather while others just go to mush once they warm up. If you don't know how a certain plant handles the cold it's just better to wait than throw money away if the plants can't handle the temps. I took a risk and ordered plants that came in on 11/21 and the Ambulia turned brown and went to mush within hours of warming up. The other plants did fine. So if you want to take the risk go ahead and order them. It's a matter of personal choice.
Most everything said so far is great advice. The online packs are worth it as the price per plant goes way way down. Sometimes your lfs will have a $8-$16 plant that is so healthy and bushy that it is totally worth the cash. I've gotten an Anubias Nana that I split into 5 once I got it home!
I just got a low light pack a few weeks ago from AZgardens.com and it had a heat pack in the box, charged me $1.00 for it and all the plants were great! It's not that cold in California so who knows. I say add a few plants from the lfs. As weeks go buy bring home a few more until spring. By the way a Betta fish can add a bit of ammonia to such a tank without overloading it and feeding you plants the nitrates your cycle produces. Very beautiful in a thick lush tank. Neons are compatible with Bettas often if you want to add more fish later.
Most everything said so far is great advice. The online packs are worth it as the price per plant goes way way down. Sometimes your lfs will have a $8-$16 plant that is so healthy and bushy that it is totally worth the cash. I've gotten an Anubias Nana that I split into 5 once I got it home!
I just got a low light pack a few weeks ago from AZgardens.com and it had a heat pack in the box, charged me $1.00 for it and all the plants were great! It's not that cold in California so who knows. I say add a few plants from the lfs. As weeks go buy bring home a few more until spring. By the way a Betta fish can add a bit of ammonia to such a tank without overloading it and feeding you plants the nitrates your cycle produces. Very beautiful in a thick lush tank. Neons are compatible with Bettas often if you want to add more fish later.