Advice for a newbie please

[far2tall]

Hi all

I've just got myself an 80x40x30 tank and would like some advice on the best shops for plants (either online or in the Maidenhead / High Wycombe areas).

Also any recommendations for substrates and opinions on substrate heating would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

 

[Alex J]

Hi welcome to ukaps🙂 as far as online shops go you should check out the forum sponsors , I have bought plants from both Aqua essentials and Aquarium gardens and have not been disappointed on any occasion. Recently I got a few plants from a company called Pro - Shrimp and was impressed with both the plants and the service given . I live in Yorkshire so I'm not familiar with any shops in your area, guess you will have a maidenhead aquatics,but impo I find them over priced . As far as substrate is concerned there are many different types available and most people have there own favourite, choosing a substrate should be based on exactly what you want to achieve in your tank and to a degree what kinds of plants you want to grow. I'am sure some one will come along shortly with some specific recommendations . It may help if you can give some idea of what kind of planting you want in your tank, but generally lots of plants is a good start with a new set up 😀 I have never used substrate heating so can't comment but my feeling is it's not very popular.

 

[far2tall]

Thanks Alex. I'm really new to the planted aquarium so not much of a clue what I want just yet - my experience is with Malawi cichlids so this is allvery new to me! I'm sure after a bit of time on here I'll know what I want but at the moment I'm just trying to absorb as much info as possible.

 

[Alex J]

Reading through the different discussions is a really good start , you will probably see a particular style of planted tank you like and can use that as inspiration for your own tank🙂 . I used to keep Tanganyika cichlids a number of years ago so I get where you're coming from, This is an excellent forum and there's lots of information and good advice from the members.when you 're ready it would probably be a good Idea to list what kind of lighting you are using, type of filtration etc so that other members know what you're working with and can advise you better, good luck with the reading

 

[PARAGUAY]

Substrate heating is not needed. Its not definitive of course but the PFK magazine has a year by year list of top shops countrywide as voted by readers might be worth a look

 

[PARAGUAY]

And welcome to UKAPS