Where to buy plants and fish online
Where to buy plants and fish online
Hi there, just wondering where you all like to get your plants and fish from? Would love to hear your favorites, thanks!
Re: Where to buy plants and fish online
In my experience, local Aquarium societies are the way to go for buying fish and plants. If you're in a small town, consider visiting a nearby bigger town that hosts monthly Aquatic society meetings and auctions. You can often find healthy, home-bred fish at significantly lower prices compared to online retailers, plus you won't have to worry about high shipping costs.
The plants you'll find at these events are usually grown submersed, making the transition to your aquarium much smoother, as they'll be accustomed to growing underwater. However, local sources might not always have what you're looking for.
If that's the case, I'd recommend checking out Wetspot in Portland for a wide selection. Aquatic Clarity is another great option for rare and unusual choices. For specific fish, like wild discus or certain cichlids, I've had good luck with specialized dealers. Tangled Up in Cichlids is a great resource for South and Central American cichlids.
For plants, I've found Hobbyists on The Planted Tank to be a great resource, as they often have already grown submersed plants. Buce Plant and Liquid Creations are also reliable sources for good quality stock.
The plants you'll find at these events are usually grown submersed, making the transition to your aquarium much smoother, as they'll be accustomed to growing underwater. However, local sources might not always have what you're looking for.
If that's the case, I'd recommend checking out Wetspot in Portland for a wide selection. Aquatic Clarity is another great option for rare and unusual choices. For specific fish, like wild discus or certain cichlids, I've had good luck with specialized dealers. Tangled Up in Cichlids is a great resource for South and Central American cichlids.
For plants, I've found Hobbyists on The Planted Tank to be a great resource, as they often have already grown submersed plants. Buce Plant and Liquid Creations are also reliable sources for good quality stock.
Re: Where to buy plants and fish online
No I'm not, I'm actually in the US, which is why I mentioned Wetspot out of Portland and other US-based retailers, but I'm curious, are there any good options in the UK for buying aquarium plants and fish?
Re: Where to buy plants and fish online
I'm not aware of any local Aquarium Societies in my area, likely due to the limited number of pet stores and their small fish selection. I imagine larger cities might have them, though. For fresh plants, I've found azgardens.com to be a reliable source - they claim to supply NASA and colleges, which is impressive. Their plant selection is vast, and they're always in top condition. However, their prices are steep, and shipping costs are even higher due to their expedited 2-3 day delivery, which includes heater or cooling bags depending on the weather.
I also purchase plants from LiveAquaria.com, which might be slightly more budget-friendly, although their variety isn't as extensive. They do a great job with shipping, though. Speaking of shipping, it's pricey for plants, but have you seen the costs for shipping fish? They use Styrofoam coolers and heat or cold packs as needed, which adds to the expense.
I also purchase plants from LiveAquaria.com, which might be slightly more budget-friendly, although their variety isn't as extensive. They do a great job with shipping, though. Speaking of shipping, it's pricey for plants, but have you seen the costs for shipping fish? They use Styrofoam coolers and heat or cold packs as needed, which adds to the expense.
Re: Where to buy plants and fish online
I live in a pretty remote area in the US, so aquarium clubs or societies aren't an option for me. I'm talking no stop lights in my entire county, and the nearest "city" is a 3.5-hour drive one way, with a population of around 75,000-100,000 people. That's why I was looking for online recommendations.
Given my job involves shipping blood and urine products via overnight shipping daily, I'm well aware of the costs involved. I was hoping to get some feedback from others on their experiences with online retailers that offer quality products at reasonable rates.
Given my job involves shipping blood and urine products via overnight shipping daily, I'm well aware of the costs involved. I was hoping to get some feedback from others on their experiences with online retailers that offer quality products at reasonable rates.
Re: Where to buy plants and fish online
I'm in a similar boat, living in the middle of nowhere with no local aquarium society and only one LFS that carries the usual suspects - common fish and a few plants. But, there's a glimmer of hope with a new LFS that's popped up, and I'm hoping it'll stick around long enough to make a name for itself. I've been supporting them with my business, and I'm excited to see how they'll grow. To find more exotic fish, I joined the International Betta Congress and the American Killifish Association, and the AKA has been a great resource. I recently ordered some plants from Aquarium Plants.com in Florida, and I was really impressed - generous portions, healthy plants, and a great selection. Their website is also super informative. For fish, I'd recommend checking out Dan's Fish in Wyoming - he's got a YouTube channel and carries some unusual species. His website is top-notch, too.