Live Plant Suggestions

[Rift2Reef]

I am in the process of setting up all of our planted aquariums and was wondering what plants people have trouble finding or would like to see us carry on a regular basis.

We are about to venture deep into that whole scene. I've got some trimless, rimless Amano style tanks and stands being designed exclusively for my shop and will be half the price of Amano setups especially the furniture.

We are open to suggestions and would like to fill whatever void there is in the metroplex when it comes to this particular part of the market.

~Dane

[AndrewH]

Seems I'm having trouble getting help in this area.

Members are stepping up, but Retail seems to be lacking heavily.

Of course the all too common swords are plentiful, but I'd love to see plants sold in "biotope" setups. Meaning, if you buy one plant out of the Shop's tank, all the other plants within are from the same region of the world, or the same natural water system. Not sure how practical this would be, but sure would be handy when setting up a region or fish specific tank.

[kleankord]

First of all, great idea. When I posted my past 2 co2 setups, i had no problem selling them on CL. Consider selling complete co2 setups. The only place I could buy was online, and that's kinda annoying. More people out there looking, than you'd expect. Particularly the regulators I'm sure they have a huge mark up.

a couple plants that I noticed that stay in demand: blyxa japonica, staurogyne repends tropical 49..

If I were doing it, I'd follow:
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2010.cgi

And see what kind of plants they are using. Each year they hold a pretty big contest, and each piece is broken down and explained. People who are looking to create similar scapes inspired by the entries, could find the right plants at your shop. Also if you're going to be carrying rimless tanks, maybe keep in stock generous quantities of the ADA-natural-aquarium style plants. Most Amano style designs stick with 2-3 plants max. Some of the best designs are simplistic ones.

A self-serving consumer recommendation, if you are moving in that direction, consider stocking more driftwood. IMHO, DNA dw, is small selection, outrageous pricing. Fish Gallery being the best selection of dw at decent prices, but for me an hour and some change drive while you're just down the street.

[Typical Tony]

some rare wc crypt species would be cool.

[Rift2Reef]

I will be posting my availability before I order so people can chime in. I'll let everyone know something soon. I am changing substrates and bulbs and adding C02 today and hopefully have everything ready by weeks end.

[kleankord]

ill trade you substrate for store credit ;)

[Sigmar]

I would also do tanks where co2 isn't needed. Some of us do "low tech" and buying out of a tank with co2 can do us more harm than good due to acclimation

[Michael]

X2 on Sigmar's comment. You might set up a Walstad tank to demonstrate a no CO2, low maintenance planted aquarium. More people can manage this type of tank, so you will sell more plants in the long run.

--Michael

[rbradbury]

@Rift2Reef (http://www.dfwfishbox.com/forums/production/member.php?u=73): DFWAPC is having a meeting coming up in November, your welcome to come visit but also your welcome to drop on over to our forum and post your questions about suggested inventory. http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/dallas-ft-worth-aquatic-plant-club/

Getting the plants with color is a good choice. If your using Florida Aquatic, I have a list and can give you suggestions off of it to order.

[jello]

im a fan of the swords, but a place close to me to fill a co2 bottle sure would be nice. any chance you can also set up a fill station?

[Adroit]

Moss.

[JMatthew]

I love this idea. Personally, it would bring a great deal more relavance to the plants for me and create great deal more interest in them through more instantanious knowledge provided of those individual biotopes...

if you get my meaning...

Seems I'm having trouble getting help in this area.

Members are stepping up, but Retail seems to be lacking heavily.

Of course the all too common swords are plentiful, but I'd love to see plants sold in "biotope" setups. Meaning, if you buy one plant out of the Shop's tank, all the other plants within are from the same region of the world, or the same natural water system. Not sure how practical this would be, but sure would be handy when setting up a region or fish specific tank.

[Dr. Awkward]

X2 on low tech plants, but not the boring Java ferns and anubias.

I am always looking for rare crypts, aponogetons (actual plants, not betta bulbs) and pretty much any non-stem plant that stays under 12 inches and isn't a sword. I would really like to get some of that new C. wendtii "Florida Sunset" that I keep seeing online but not in stores. I would also be very interested in some of the grasses and pondweeds you never see in stores like potamogetons, vallisnerias or maybe even widgeon grass seed for native brackish tanks.

I also think it would be really cool if a LFS carried bulk substrate for planted tanks. It seems like you could make some decent profit selling SMS or red flint by the pound. I would personally pay triple for the stuff if it meant I could buy the amount I need instead of a 50 pound bag.

[Rift2Reef]

I do plan on having a low tech tank, maybe 2 or 3. I will have some high tech tanks with Co2 only for the plants that would need it after leaving the store. Anything considered low tech or not really needing Co2 won't get it. I have 3 40 breeders and 2 75 gallons as of now that will be getting plants and i'll grow it from there as needed.

The plants will originate from Florida Aquatic Nurseries through one of their distributors. That will be the main supplier at least.

I will post availability each and every time I order the week of so if anyone needs anything specifically I can offer it at a slightly discounted price to be picked up when it arrives.

[alta678]

Please consider talking to Texgal and Niko about some cool plants. Both of those people know more about planted aquariums than the rest of us put together.

Also consider lighting for the planted tank. I know that Texgal has a beautiful rimless tank (custom Deep Sea, about 85 gal) and has had a hard time finding sleek sophisticated lighting to hang over her tank. She specifically wanted something that could be raised and lowered.

[Deltad]

Please consider talking to Texgal and Niko about some cool plants. Both of those people know more about planted aquariums than the rest of us put together.

Also consider lighting for the planted tank. I know that Texgal has a beautiful rimless tank (custom Deep Sea, about 85 gal) and has had a hard time finding sleek sophisticated lighting to hang over her tank. She specifically wanted something that could be raised and lowered.

the light is where the money is in a planted tank since it's the number one necessity, though I wouldn't go as far as having a fancy light like TexGal as most of us don't want to spent "that" much on some light. :) though I'd love to, it's just not that practical for the average hobbyist

[alta678]

You might be surprised how many people would like a nice looking light on their showpiece tank in the main living area of their home. Many of the rimless Amano tanks have suspended lights.

[rbradbury]

I shop the plant stores around the metroplex so I can tell you what people are caring and not caring for their stock. One thing would be helpful when listing your plants names and prices on the tank, it so include lighting conditions(High, Med, Low) and any special requirements like CO2 or Iron supplements. PM me your email address and I'll shot you over a list.

[NursePlaty]

I have a lot of trouble finding high-tech plants moderate-difficult types. Any attractive looking stem plants for high tech tanks. I usually look at the AGA Aquascaping contest site and view the tanks of all the entries.

Here is a list the ones that me and my friends have all tried to find before.

All species of the Rotalas
All species of the Limnophilas
All species of Ludwigias
Glossostigma elatinoides
Pogostemon helferi

[alta678]

Bolbitis fern! :D

[PersistentFish]

I have a lot of trouble finding high-tech plants moderate-difficult types. Any attractive looking stem plants for high tech tanks. I usually look at the AGA Aquascaping contest site and view the tanks of all the entries.

Here is a list the ones that me and my friends have all tried to find before.

All species of the Rotalas
All species of the Limnophilas
All species of Ludwigias
Glossostigma elatinoides
Pogostemon helferi

I agree -- I'd like to see some of these as well. Especially the Pogostemon helferi. And crinums. I had glosso before the move... I'll see if it survived the move and maybe I'll have some to share later on. :)

[Rift2Reef]

Bolbitis fern! :D

I see it on the availability it's just not available this week. I will contact them tomorrow and see when it will be ready. I know you've been looking for it for a while.

[Michael Scarn]

I would second what some have said regarding Crypts. I regularly visit a lot (maybe all) lfs in the DFW area and everyone seems to have Wendtii, Spiralis, Lutea and some others. But, that's pretty much all you find out there. I would like to see a wider variety. I have ordered some (balansae and retrospiralis) from Sweet Aquatics because I could not find them locally.

I would also love to see more varieties of moss. All you really see is Java Moss and MAYBE some Christmas moss.

[pam916]

IMO moss is a good choice. It looks great in planted tanks, especially when attached to driftwood. Tiger lotus is another of my favorites. Actually I have several plants in my tanks that do well and I really enjoy, most of them I got at the planted tank meetings, the only problem is I cannot remember half of their names. I agree with the low tech plant comments, you can have a very nice planted tank without CO2. I also think it would be nice, as someone else commented, if you could carry a nice selection of driftwood. I think it is great that you are venturing into this area. When I started keeping planted tanks it opened up whole new world to me in terms of how I can enjoy this hobby.

[rbradbury]

A major downfall I see the stores not doing is taking care of the plants once they get them in stock. Don't for get to fertilize them and add the micro nutrients. Use plenty of Iron to keep any plants with color to keep looking good or even better. Little care can go along ways and help to reduce the cost of loss.