mrsmuffin

Welcome to Fishlore, Scorpiogirl!

What part of Fort Worth do you live in? I live in Burleson, so I might be able to help a little. There is a decent fish store in SW Ft Worth (Fish Paridise) and a GREAT fish store in South Arlington (True Percula.) My brother says that Pet World in Haltom City is wonderful, but I have not shopped there myself. I have not had any problems with the fish from the PetSmart out here and there are at least a couple of people there that keep fish themselves and know what they are talking about (of course there are a few that are clueless, too!) The PetSmart on 7th St (Montgomery Plaza) has a nice large selection of decorations and artificial plants.

Hope that helps you some!

scorpiogirl

I live off of N Beach and Western Center Blvd. I was going to use the Petsmart on Denton Hwy. The Haltom City store you mentioned isn't far from me either. Thanks so much, great help!

mrsmuffin

You're welcome! My brother knows the guy who owns the store, and he has been in business for at least 10 years or so. Actually, I am sure that it has been more like 15...man, I am getting old!

ThisGuy

You can put live plants in at anytime they are a great source of bacteria for seeding your tank. When choosing a plant i would recommend that you go with a low light plant. Around here most people recomend java moss if you can find it and i would recomend moss balls just becuse they look cool and the shrimp love to play on them. Water sprite grows like a weed so that might be a good one to get i don't think you can kill it. I included a link below it will give you a breakdown of what you should know. There is a lot of reading and research involved in this hobby.

Cheers

Ryan



general guide low light planted tanks


Aquarium Plant Important Topic Stickies

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/aquarium-plants/

scorpiogirl

Thanks Ryan!
I'm glad to hear that it is okay to go ahead and add them. All this waiting is gettin' to me, lol. Thanks for the links too, very informative! You are so right about there being alot of reading and research involved but I love to read and am very interested in learning all I can.
(even though I don't drink)
Lisa

scorpiogirl

mrsmuffin-
Do you know if the Haltom City shop has a web site that I could check out?

HatchetHaven

Here are some good low light plants:
Cryptocoryne, Hygrophila, Hornwort, Dwarf hairgrass, Java moss, Africa fern, Java fern, Anubias. The last 4 plants listed need to be tied down to the decorations, although Anubias can be planted in the substrate as long as the rhizome is about the substrate.

scorpiogirl

Anubias can be planted in the substrate as long as the rhizome is about the substrate.[/quote]

What do you mean by the 'rhizome'?

mrsmuffin

Not that I know of. They are on Carson St north of HWY 121 if that helps though.

scorpiogirl

I found it, thanks mrsmuffin!!

HatchetHaven

A rhizome is like a 'Master root', abubias leaves grow on the rhizome and it's normal roots anchor it to whatever it's anchored to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizome

MrsM3197

One of the things that I have found is that PetSmart and other bigger chain type stores have a bigger selection of supplies for your tanks, and usually they are cheaper. Just don't buy anything living from them, and don't listen to the load of hooey they try to sell you on cycling your tank or stocking. They are strictly in the business of moving product and don't give a rats about those living beings once they leave their store. Fish, plants, inverts buy from a reputable dealer. Scope out your local aquarium shops. Explore them and look at their tanks. Chat up the employees, and maybe if the owner is in, they would enjoy talking to you as well. It might take a few trips out and several stores but, anybody that truly loves what they are doing is going to want to share it with anyone that will listen. I was fortunate and found a great lady that is quite knowlegeable just a bit of a drive away. Well worth the drive. The folks here on FishLore are amazing. These guys-n-gals can answer just about anything. Good luck on your tank, it will bring you much joy.

jdhef

That's only because you don't have fish yet!

scorpiogirl

LOL, John! We shall see about that.

I have another question...would it be ok to put a small clay pot in the tank for decoration/hiding place or would this harm the water?

jdhef

I'm pretty sure it would be okay. But someone jump in if I'm wrong!

ThisGuy

I have seen people use clay pots in tanks as a spawning location for some types of fish, it should be harmless as long as its not full of dirt.

Cheers (its just an expression)

Ryan

scorpiogirl

Thanks you guys! LOL, Ryan....I know it is and I was just teasing you
I think it would be a good hiding place for the fish, (when I get them...can't wait!) and it looks cool too. Hey, yall better except my friends request. OK?
Laters,
Lisa

scorpiogirl

hey, check out my new pics of the (empty ) tank. What do yall think?