General Plant Questions...

[NannaLou]

Hello,

I’m almost at the end of the planning stage of a low tech/Walstad style tank. (24 x 12 x 12 inches)

I have a list of plants that I want but I’m struggling to work out how many I will need as they seem to be sold in various ways.

The Tropica website has many planting layouts with the lists of what is in the tank, and I think from looking at those I’m going to need 12-15 plants. Is that 12-15 x5cm pots, 12-15 x bundles...?

What are your store recommendations for online plant buying in the UK? And finally, sorry, I’m hoping to have shrimp at some point - how do I know if plants are safe for shrimps, as I have seen some plants labelled ‘shrimp safe’?

Thank you in advance...

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

I'm really impatient so I just bought as much as I could afford at the time! But you separate each pot etc and plant them in bits, stems grow really quick and you just replant the trimmings to propagate.

Most plants are grown above water and are treated with pesticides or whatever, so the 'shrimp safe' reference is to plants that haven't got chemicals on them that will harm your shrimp... I think!

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Aquarium Gardens

Aquarium Plants and Planted Aquarium Supplies UK. Buy live aquatic plants online, algae free & shrimp safe guaranteed, high European quality, suitable for tropical and cold-water fish tanks.

www.aquariumgardens.co.uk

I like buying here, great quality and delivered quickly...

 

[Essjay]

What are your store recommendations for online plant buying in the UK? And finally, sorry, I’m hoping to have shrimp at some point - how do I know if plants are safe for shrimps, as I have seen some plants labelled ‘shrimp safe’?

If the seller doesn't say shrimp safe, don't risk it.

I have bought shrimps safe plants from k2aqua on eBay and Pro Shrimp

Pro Shrimp UK - Aquascaping Experts, Aquarium Plants & Shrimp - Pro Shrimp

One of the leading Aquarium Plant and Aquascaping Suppliers in the UK. Your Shrimp and Aquatic Expert since 2014

www.pro-shrimp.co.uk

There is another site which sells shrimp safe plants but I have not bought from them yet

Aquarium Plants Online UK | Aquatic Plants UK & Ireland

Aquarium Plants Online UK - UK's leading online supplier of Aquatic Plants. Aquarium live plants & supplies. Delivery to UK, Ire & Europe

java-plants.com

Any plant grown in vitro is shrimp safe, as are plants grown by these companies - Tropica, Dennerle and Aquafleur as they are all in Europe.

This UK site also sells some shrimp safe aquarium plants

Plantek Lab – UK Grown Live Aquarium Plants for Aquascaping, Succulents, Houseplants

planteklab.com

 

[NannaLou]

Another question.... The Walstad Method lists specific plants, some of which I’m struggling to find the exact match for. Can I make the assumption that one, full and feathery type plant will absorb the ammonia/nitrates as much as the next? Or do different plants have differing requirement? (I’m thinking of matching leaf shape/size).