[Lugnut]

Maybe this is a dumb question but do most plants that come from Petco suck and die? Every one I have bought melted away. That was question #1.
#2 I need a decent 6 plants that I can buy somewhere and know they are going to grow well. Any ideas?
Thanks all

 

[Coursair]

What lights, substrate, ferts are you using ???

Some Petco plants aren't truly aquatic. Some should be fine.

Anubias, Java Fern, Java Moss should all work. BUT all need to be attached rocks or driftwood. Not "planted".

 

[Lugnut]

Lights are 8 cree XPG Under MTS topped with Sand

 

[Noahma]

as Coursair said, unfortunately most of the plants Petco sells are not aquatic plants. I have seen several species of Crypt. (always just noted as assorted crypt), rotala rotundifolia, anachris, various swords that are true aquatic plants. Crypt.'s most likely melt when put in your tank, they do not like water parameter changes, just leave it be, take the melted leaves out and wait for it to start growing again.

There are plenty of online vendors that sell plants, though reviews on the website are prohibited. And you can look in the forums swap and shop for inexpensive plants that are in prime condition.

 

[shrimpNewbie]

I have some plants i may be able to send for a little more than shipping, won't die off, however alot of plants melt from transfers, i like some petco plants i have had decent experience with them, got several swords and java ferns from them

 

[madness]

Anubias, water wisteria, swords - I have had ok luck with all of them even from the tubes at petco.

Just be ready for some of the leaves to die off (trim them) and to wait a little while for the plant to rebound and readjust.

 

[Lugnut]

Thanks guys very helpful! One more question I always wondered if I have more than 2 inches of sand over 1 inch MTS how far do I push in these plants?does it have to hit the dirt in order to get the nutrients?

 

[fresh.salty]

The roots will find the dirt.

 

[Lugnut]

What about something like grass? will they also eventually find it? As a rule how deep to you place plants into substrate?
Thank again!!!

 

[fresh.salty]

I try not to bury the crown. I think any plant we keep can find it's way down to the bottom of the substrate.

 

[Lugnut]

You have all been very very helpful to me thank you much!

 

[johnny313]

i JUST bought 5 plants from petco 20 mins ago.
pics... i dont know what they are but here are some pics...

 

[JasonG75]

I would like to know what 3 is as well, I have it in my tank.

 

[JasonG75]

I would like to know what 3 is as well, I have it in my tank.

1. Crypt
2. Dwaf onion OR MONDO grass (take it back)
3. I have (dont know what it is)
4 same as above

 

[johnny313]

i dont think 3 and 4 are the same. looks similar but the leaves are bigger in pic 3.

why take back the mondo grass??

 

[Noahma]

Mondo grass is non aquatic.

 

[fresh.salty]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myplants/102-Mondo_Grass_Ophiopogon_japonica.html

 

[johnny313]

wow! never knew this.

 

[Studman0143]

Just fyi PetSmarts have started getting in real aquatic plants in white bags. There are about 8 different kinds I believe and depending on your setup, you can successfully grow all of them. A LPS is almost always the way to go anyways.

 

[tuffgong]

#3 looks like ludwigia repens.