Any aquatic plant groups in southern california?

[wonder woman]

Hi Katy-
I live in Anaheim, and am really into planted tanks, and any type of corydoras. I've been to two COAST meetings- I HIGHLY recommend them for the comraderie, the auction (sweet deals on things that are sometimes impossible to find at lfs's), and the lectures. Unfortunately, I just missed the one yesterday on killies- I was indulging in my other hobby in Las Vegas (a billiards tournament). Awful when you have to chose one over the other!
Please consider coming to the next COAST meeting the first Sunday in April- I think you'll be really glad you did. If you do come, look for me and introduce yourself. I'm the young (mid-20's looking) blonde girl (I'll probably have my hair up in a short ponytail).

[katymay]

Well Gomer you must be smarter than I cause they wouldn't let me stay in Irvine for Grad School.
Wonder Woman: Yeah, I definitely plan to attend the next COAST meeting, and I'll look for you.
Did you guys see on the COAST website that there's an upcoming Ciclid Society meeting in Anaheim on the third Saturday of the month? Do you think that would be worthwhile to attend?
If you guys have a minute, check out my tank in the Album and give me your feedback...even if it's "constructive criticism"

[EvilKen]

WOOT, some fellow UCI alumni's!! Never knew there were so many planted tank fans on campus.

I graduated in 2003. Go Anteaters! ZOT ZOT ZOT!

[caught29]

Katy-
sorry to say but I'm pretty sure that the Cichlid Society of Southern California disbanded about 2 months ago due to lack of interest. I kept wanting to go after i heard about it late last year but never had time.. and then *poof* it was gone. :cry:

[katymay]

Wow! That's weird, becasue if you go on the C.O.A.S.T website (I think Gomer listed the web address on this thread if you need it) they say that the Cichlid Society is having a meeting in a couple of weeks! Maybe I misread something.
I still really liked the idea of us starting our own club (informal of course). I'm not really the presidential type like Gomer is, but I could buy the first round of drinks! We could swap LFS horror stories and bore those around us to tears. I think it would be loads of fun.

[wonder woman]

Katy- I'm all for that. I hate the fact that COAST only meets once a month, and I'd love to get a chance to talk "shop", trade plantlets, etc...
Let's see what we can do about this.

[captain nemo]

hi orange county planted tankers,
Slightly off the subject, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good local stores for purchasing plants? I'm just setting up a new planted tank and am about ready for planting day. Thanks!

[Gomer]

If you are looking for rare plants, then hobbiests or online is your best bet. For more common plants, it depends on how far you are willing to drive *L* I haven't been to any places near you per say, but I suppose that the tongs out your way might not be a bad start.

[captain nemo]

thanks - I guess I'm not looking for anything too exotic yet, as I figure there is that -outside- chance that I could kill off a few things as I start out ops: I'm mostly looking for fast growing, tolerant plants to start out with.

Tong's is a decent place but not big on plants. I bought my new tank there in fact (one of the bare wood things with an acrylic 55 gal hex tank - very nice looking once I finished the wood). After searching around the area a few weekends ago, I came across New Wave Tropicals in Tustin. They have a fair number of plants. Seems like a good place.

[wonder woman]

Captain Nemo-
You must have gone to Tong's on one of the (rare) days when they're low on stock. Usually, Tong's has a LARGE variety of types of plants, and they always look healthy, not like they're melting or being taken over by algae. In fact, of all the lf's I've been to in O.C. (Discount Tropical Fish in La Habra, both Pacific Reef stores [in Anaheim and Huntington Beach], West Coast Tropical in Buena Park, San-Bar in Newport Beach, the fish store on State College in Anaheim (Fullerton?), and every other lfs and chain pet store I can think of), Tong's is by far the best for quality and variety. I don't think I've been to New Wave in Tustin (unless it's the one on Tustin Ave. between Lincold & Katella or therebouts). That store seemed to be mostly s.w., so I just did a circuit and left.

[captain nemo]

Wonder Woman,
cool - thanks for the info. I'll make a trip to Tong's later this week!

[katymay]

Hey Wonder Woman! Yeah! Let's set something up! Any other OC folks want to meet to trade plants and stories?
I also had a bad experience at Tong's. I've been there 4 times and the only plants he ever had were some very large swords in that huge tank in the back. However, I haven't been there in a few months, so perhaps it's better now. I also remember seeing quite a few sick fish there.
I REALLY LOVE PACIFIC REEF IN ANAHEIM!!! As far as I know, they are the only store that carries stuff like riccia, lace plants, and A. undulatus. I have bought all of those there. The girl that owns the shop is named Tina, and she keeps 2 HUGE fully planted tanks as well as a smaller planted cube up by the register. They are really nice. She is very knowledgeable and carries other important stuff like eco-complete and black moon sand. I bought my retrofit lighting system from her. I have never known Tongs to actually keep planted tanks, he just sells plants as far as I know. Pacific Reef is the only place I know that actually DISPLAYS planted tanks. Pacific Reef is also very clean and has minimal sick fish at any given time. Even if you're not buying, it's a fun store to just walk through.

FISH 2000 doesn't really carry any good plants, but they are the place to go if you want unusual freshwater fish. He gets in tons of fish, and will proabaly order any fish you want.

[Magnus]

Does anyone know of any LFS in Orange County that carries South American dwarf cichlids (particularly Apistogrammas)? Better yet, does anyone here (OC) breed them? If so, talk to me !
Have you guys check out Petown? Sometimes, local farmers (Gomer) bring in really good stuff.

[katymay]

Hey, just to let you all know, Pacific Reef has a website that you can check out. I think you'll see that they really do appreciate planted tanks. it's www.reefpacific.com. Check it out. Or go see Tina and tell me what you think.

[Gomer]

Pacific reef has nice planted tanks, but the plants that you can buy in their sale tanks (I don't think you can buy from their show tanks) are IMO low quality.