aquariumplants.com

[jrs]

I dont mean to turn this thread in another direction but for the Canadians reading this here is the species of plants that I keep. I am not a retailer and I dont want to be one either and just because I have it listed doesn't mean that I would have enough to sell or swap. I am simply posting this to show that there are lots of us out here and if we used the CANADIAN SWAP SECTION we could benefit from each other.

Limnophila sessiliflora
Limnophila aromatica
Alternanthera reineckii ''lilacina'' ('Purple')
Sagittaria subulata
Hygrophila corymbosa ‘siamensis’
Hygrophila polysperma v. sunset
Hygrophila polysperma 'ceylon'
Cryptocoryne walkeri (lutea)
Rotala rotundifolia
Cabomba furcata - Red cabomba
crypt wendtii ‘brown’
ceratopteris pteroides
ludwiga repens
ludwiga repens ‘rubin’
POTOMAGETON GAYI
Elatine triandra
BACOPA CAROLINIANA
BACOPA MONERII
HYGROPHILA DIFFORMIS
AMMANIA SP BONSAI
LUDWIGIA INCLINATA VAR. VERTICILLATA 'CUBA'
ELEOCHARIS ACICULARIS
EGERIA NAJAS
HYGROPHILA SP. 'RED'
NYMPHAEA MICRANTHA
ANUBIAS BARTERI VAR. NANA
GLOSSOSTIGMA ELATINOIDES
Echinodorus 'Red Special'
MONOSOLENIUM TENERUM
VESICULARIA MONTAGNE
ROTALA SP. 'NANJENSHAN'
Fissidens Fontanus
Taxiplyllum sp. ‘Peacock moss’
crypt parva
Rotola macrandra
ECHINODORUS URUGUAYENSIS
Lobelia cardinalis
Utricularia graminiflora
Taxiplyllum sp. ‘java moss’
Hemianthus micranthemoides
Echinodorus tenellus
Cabomba coralinia
Bylxa japonica
LILAEOPSIS BRASILIENSIS
Vallisneria torta
Vallisneria America
Hemianthus Callitrichoides ‘cuba’
Eleocharis montevidensis
Eustralis stellata
Marsilea quadrifolia
Fissidens nobilis
Flame moss
Spikey moss
PLAGIOMNIUM sp.?
stargrass

[Homer_Simpson]

jrs, I hear what you are saying. The problem is that many of us who are just starting off in this hobby may not have a lot to trade or share, but in due time I am sure that would change and I would welcome being part of such a network. Right now I have a 10 gallon planted tank over run with Hygrophila corymbosa(compact), apongentons, and ambulia. The problem is that these are currently over-run with Blue Green Algae(that I am trying to eradicate) and snails. The snails are not plant eaters and while some appear to be MTS, I am unable to identify the others. I couldn't in good conscious trade or sell such plants with another hobbyist. They may not take kindly to having a BGA or snail problem spread to their tank because I sold or traded something with them that they trusted would be clean.

However, I would be willing to pay any hobbyist money for clean, healthy plants, if they have extras that they want to sell.

[jrs]

Alright when I get back from my vacation I will setup a paypal account and try to post plants like they do in the US section and see how it goes.

[lasutaku]

Hey guys, I see there are a lot of bad feedback for this site, but I was wondering how their CO2 regulator is. They say it's really good and all, but I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with it.
Also, does it come with everything (tubing, etc.)? Is it a complete setup where I can just open the box, connect it to my CO2 cannister (the same that the restaurants uses for beers and sodas)?

Thanks in advance!

[D.gilly]

yeah its pretty good. My selunoid had a bit of a problem but they replaced it i bought the complete kit but if i where you i wouldint the diffusior they give you isint really good and the timer is pointless but thats just my opinion.

[ZLewis]

I have had their regulator for about nine months. The only problem that I had with it is when the solenoid stuck open once or twice after the timer went off. I built my own reactor and I already had a timer. I would probably buy it again if I had to do it again. I also had a difficult time trying to contact them. That is the only issue that would keep me from ordering from them again.

[lasutaku]

Thanks guys. Yea, after reading the many, many, many feedback about delayed shipping and what not (not only from here, but other forums as well), I decided not to order from them afterall... I just ordered a regulator from Dr. Fosters and Smith. Hope it works out well.

Thanks

[HiroPro]

The only experience I've had with them has been positive. I ordered a bag of Eco and a bucket if their "own" substrate. Got free shipping on the Eco. Both were delivered promptly. However, I've never ordered any plants from them.

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by HiroPro

..However, I've never ordered any plants from them...

I honestly believe that they are doing their very best to resolve issues around delays in delivery of plant shipments to Canada, and I give them a lot of credit for that. How successful they will be, only time will tell.

In the mean time(especially if you live in Canada), until they sort out these issues, as has been suggested already, I would stick to ordering potted plants and anubias(all varieties) vs stem plants. They have an excellent selection of anubias and these seem to survive delays in shipment no problem (at least mine did).
http://www.aquariumplants.com/Anubias_s/26.htm

Also, I have to say, that their grow your own bulbs are incredible and much better than the Wal-mart aquarium bulbs. The selection is better and the Aquariumplants bulbs seem to have a 100% sproutal rate vs 50% for the Wal-Mart bulbs. Again, this is what I personally experienceed and observed. If you order these bulbs, it is also a given that they won't be effected negatively by shipment delays.
http://www.aquariumplants.com/Grow_Y...Bulbs_s/29.htm

[kwonger81]

I'm glad I found this thread!

Unfortunately I may be screwed as well. Here's my story: I bought "The Best" regulator from them last Sept (order was only for equipment, shipped promptly, no problems at all), but life got in the way and I didn't actually go pressurized until July.

My system includes an SMS122 pH controller and an inline (Rex Grigg-style) reactor. I unfortunately was not aware of the importance of the check valve when I set my system up, so I have no check valve between the bubble counter and the inline reactor.

Things seemed to be working fine at first, except for 2 things. First, the bubble counter filled completely with water after a couple of days. I could still count the bubbles so I thought it was no big deal. Second, I noticed that the pressure reading of the first stage seemed to fluctuate. Sometimes it would be more than 15 psi and other times it was less than 0 psi. The pressure reading of the second stage didn't change.

Then one day I noticed that bubbles were coming out even though my pH controller (SMS122) alarm wasn't on and the pH reading (6.1) was already lower than the setting (6.2). Fortunately there was no loss of life (although I don't want to venture what would have happened if I didn't happen to pass by and see bubbles coming out). Unfortunately I don't recall whether or not the solenoid was "on" (I don't remember hearing the usual buzz heard when the solenoid is on).

At this point I went to the AP website and realized that the regulator has a built-in check valve (I believe it's right under the bubble counter), so hopefully my solenoid and regulator haven't been damaged - the only harm from not having a check valve between the bubble counter and the inline reactor is that water filled up the bubble counter. So what is the problem? Is my solenoid broken? Why did the pressure on the first step of my regulator fluctuate?

I was really pleased when I realized that the regulator has a "Full 3 year warranty". But of course my email to them was ignored (although I sent it to contactus@aquariumplants.com and not aquariumplant.com - but I didn't get any bounce back messages). And noone ever answers the phone or returns messages (left 3 already). I thought maybe they were on vacation or something (I know that sounds ridiculous, but the other week I tried going to 2 restaurants and they had signs on their door stating that the restaurant was closed that week due to summer vacation), but after reading about your experiences it seems to be the norm for them. So what would people suggest I do at this point?

Right now I'm not running my pressurized CO2. Should I try my unit again (with an additional check valve installed) and hope it doesn't fail? Or should I try to get them to replace it since it seems like more than one thing is wrong? Based on the experiences of others on this thread, I'm worried that they will not honour the warranty and/or it will take an excessively long time. One thing for sure - I sure as hell will not be opening things up to try to fix it myself (not after D. gilly's experience!)

I think I will post this on the equipment section section as well, but I'd like to hear what you guys think I should do in terms of dealing with AP.com. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

I was about to order some plants from them - NO WAY NOW!!! I will go check out the Canadian Swap N Shop section for sure.

[Momotaro]

I am at work and unable to address the technical problem at this time, Jeff.

Have a look at this, it might help you stop CO2 flow when the controller kicks off:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/eq...dle-valve.html

Jeff, what has happened to you was more of a "user" issue than a "supplier" issue. Aside from an inability to answer emails promptly, AP has done little to garner mistrust on your end in my view. Aside from the needle valve leaking, nothing inordinately unusual is occurring. To say "Another Bad Experience" isn't really fair, in my opinion. Unless you are reffering to the emails. Then I'd say "Poor Communication" would be more than fair.

As far as purchasing plants is concerned, if I lived in Canada there is no way I'd buy from a supplier in the US. Seems there are too many issues and too many possible delays to make it a "win" situation. Just my opinion. Take it for what it is worth.


Mike

[kwonger81]

Originally Posted by Momotaro

I am at work and unable to address the technical problem at this time, Jeff.

Have a look at this, it might help you stop CO2 flow when the controller kicks off:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/eq...dle-valve.html

Jeff, what has happened to you was more of a "user" issue than a "supplier" issue. Aside from an inability to answer emails promptly, AP has done little to garner mistrust on your end in my view. Aside from the needle valve leaking, nothing inordinately unusual is occurring. To say "Another Bad Experience" isn't really fair, in my opinion. Unless you are reffering to the emails. Then I'd say "Poor Communication" would be more than fair.

As far as purchasing plants is concerned, if I lived in Canada there is no way I'd buy from a supplier in the US. Seems there are too many issues and too many possible delays to make it a "win" situation. Just my opinion. Take it for what it is worth.


Mike

Thanks Mike. I am basing my comments somewhat on the posts of others, but I believe I did mention that I left 3 voice messages on 3 different days (starting this past Sunday) that were never returned. Why have a customer support number on a web site if nobody ever picks up the phone and nobody ever returns the messages left?? I guess you could say that is in the gray zone whether that is just "Poor Communication" vs "A Bad Experience"

The leaky needle valve is one issue, and I think I resolved that by reading the thread you directed me to (thanks!). But does that explain why the pressure reading on the top gauge would fluctuate wildly from day to day (from 0-15 psi)? I thought that would only be controlled by the large screw not the needle valve, and should stay fairly constant. Is this still a "user" issue, or is this a problem with the unit that should be covered by the warranty?

I will be the first to confess that I'm the antithesis of a handy guy, and this could all be me (so please be patient with me). But it just bugs me that a company which supposedly places an emphasis on customer service and says "3 Years Full Warranty" on the product and yet you can't make any contact with them for 5 days to even find out what's wrong. And if it weren't for forums like this I'd be really screwed!

Anyway, I agree with you that it is probably a bad idea to buy plants from the US if you live in Canada. I just thought that since AP has a distribution centre in Canada things might have been different.

[tazcrash69]

Originally Posted by kwonger81

The leaky needle valve is one issue, and I think I resolved that by reading the thread you directed me to (thanks!). But does that explain why the pressure reading on the top gauge would fluctuate wildly from day to day (from 0-15 psi)? I thought that would only be controlled by the large screw not the needle valve, and should stay fairly constant.

OK, quick guess here. You state you have an SMS controller. If the needle valve is opened up too much, and the large screw is not open enough you will build up pressure (giving you the 15 psi on the low side. When the controller does not inject CO2. Then when the pH rises above the setting on your SMS it will open the solenoid, and a the CO2 will be released into the tank faster than high pressure setting allows it to flow out giving you the 0 on the low side.

What I would do is:
1) unplug the solenoid from the controller & plug into an outlet to get a steady flow.
2) set the high pressure regulator to have about 20 psi.
3) set the needle valve to give you a desired bubble count
4) watch that the bubble counter, see that your counts are steady, and that the low pressure side doesn't drop.
5) after everything is nice and steady, plug the solenoid back into the controller.

Just remember that sometimes you can still get a few bubbles out even after the solenoid shuts off. Mine trickles for about 5 seconds or so after. If yours is stuck open you can try plugging and unplugging a few times to see if you can get it unstuck.


HTH

[kwonger81]

Thanks Walter! Will try that tonight!

[kwonger81]

An update: I did almost exactly as Taz suggested:

1) I opened the CO2 tank to max
2) I set first stage (large screw) to read 15 psi (my gauge only goes up to 15 psi)
3) I plugged the solenoid into an outlet
4) I adjusted the needle valve to get a bubble rate of about 1 bps
5) I watched the pressure on the first stage - it dropped to 14 psi but didn't fall any further
6) I let things run for about 30 min
7) I unplugged the solenoid
8) I noticed about 15 more bubbles after unplugging the solenoid - this may have been what I saw the other day that freaked me out
9) Since then, the pressure on the first stage is way past 15 psi. (Is this a problem? Now that I'm not running anything should I be shutting off my CO2 tank?)

I wonder if this has to do with changes in atmospheric pressure. Note that the bubble counter is uncovered at the moment - it is not hooked into my system yet because I'm waiting for an additional check valve from Rex to put between my inline reactor and my bubble counter. Previously, the fluctuations in the first stage may have been arising from changes in pressure in the system and it may have been exacerbated by the filling up of my bubble counter with water due to not have a check valve there. Hopefully this was all no big deal and there actually is nothing wrong with the AP regulator and that I was just freaking out over nothing (but I still think they should have at least returned my voice messages with a phone call).

Thanks to all who provided advice. I'll let you all know how it goes...

Jeff.