Table of Contents
Possible purchase sources for aquarium plants
There are a number of sources for buying aquatic plants, which we will look at individually below. Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages. Here is an overview of the sources:
- pet shop and specialty store
- Internet shop or platforms
- swap meets
- Trade fairs / events
- Classified
- Facebook groups
- Aquarium forums
- Wholesalers
pet shop and specialty store
Let's start with the possibility of getting aquarium plants. Classic would be to name first the retail trade and the many pet shops and pet supply stores. These usually offer a very good selection and advice should also be available. Depending on where you live, you have a wide range of options here. Be it at Dehner, Kölle Zoo, Zoo Plus or other pet supplies retailers. Even in the hardware store you can find a large selection of plants today. The selection is very large and you should find a lot here, especially in the aquaristics area. The advantages there are obvious. Above all, the fact that you can take a close look at the plants must be mentioned here. There is also the possibility, especially for beginners, to get good advice. Of course it can happen that you usually pay a little more here and don't always get a bargain. In addition, the selection is also very dependent on the current stock. This should be noted.
Internet shop or platforms
A very common method today to get aquatic plants for the aquarium is to buy them in an online shop, as is also the case with other products. There are a lot of possibilities here, because in the meantime some online shops have specialized in exactly that. We are also talking about online aquatic plant nurseries. In addition, there are also large marketplaces such as Ebay or Amazon, which today have a wide range of aquatic plants. Be it whole packages for the initial setup of the aquarium or individual plants. Depending on the water content (54, 60, 120, 200, 240...) you will find complete initial equipment in the packages. This means that very good prices can usually be achieved. The advantages of buying on the internet is mostly the price. In addition, the selection and variety are quite large. Unfortunately, you cannot look at the plants and therefore have to rely on the experiences, tests and opinions of the customers.
Swap meets and flea market
Aquarium exchanges, exchanges and special flea markets for aquarists are always a good opportunity to buy aquatic plants cheaply. With many aquarists, the aquatic plants take over through good fertilization and these have to be cut back again and again. These are then usually offered as new cuttings of the seedlings on the above-mentioned exchanges. The events take place regionally and here, too, the biggest advantage is usually the price. You can make lots of bargains here. Nevertheless, one should also be careful with the quality and above all with regard to diseases and algae, because the plants offered there do not come from pure plant tanks, but also from tanks Fishing. Therefore, certain germs can already be contained here.
Aquarium fairs
There are always regional and national trade fairs such as Aqua Fisch or others. These fairs also allow you to buy aquatic plants. Of course, this always depends on whether it is purely a trade fair or a consumer fair. But bargains can also be found here.
Classified
Be it on Ebay classifieds, Quoka or bulky waste and the many regional classifieds. Many aquarists also sell their aquatic plants and of course the fish here. Here, too, you can get good bargains and you also have the opportunity to meet aquarists in your area. Nevertheless, the same instructions apply as for the stock exchanges. You have to look at the quality and the eventual load algae and algae spores watch out.
Facebook groups
What would have been unthinkable years ago is already a very big trend today. Facebook groups on all sorts of topics are getting bigger and bigger. In the field of aquaristics, for example, there are plenty of classified ads and exchange portals on Facebook, where aquarists offer things they no longer need. Usually at very attractive prices. This can also be a way to get aquatic plants quickly and cheaply.
Aquaristics and aquariums forums
This possibility of obtaining aquatic plants is very good. You can get your aquatic plants in various forums on the Internet. Usually the forums have an area where you can offer and search for something. Aquatic plants are also available here. Even special breeders may be present here.
Wholesalers
Of course, there are also wholesalers who sell aquarium plants. But not everyone has access here. Nevertheless, you can ask whether you can also shop in the special nurseries. This is also possible with various fish or shrimp breeders. Above all, the price could be really attractive here and of course the quality.
As you can see in our list, there are many ways to get aquatic plants. Each has its own pros and cons and you should carefully consider what is right for you. The internet in particular has caught up enormously in recent years and now offers a very large selection of aquatic plants.
What do I have to consider when buying aquatic plants?
But now we want to present a few tips so that you don't make a mistake when buying aquarium water plants. Especially if you want to buy your plants online.
- Good information about the desired species
- Look closely at the plants
- Compare the prices
- Read through the experiences and tests of users and other buyers
- Especially when buying online, check whether the dealer is trustworthy
- Order only a few and not all plants at once
- Get advice (forums, facebook, advice sites…)
Once the plants have arrived at a home, don't put them in your tank right away. Here it has proven useful to water the plants for a few days. You should rinse them thoroughly beforehand to get rid of any snails and other parasites. It can also happen that plants are particularly stressed. For example, through bad water or through special fertilizers. Unfortunately, there have already been negative experiences, including fish deaths when new aquatic plants are added. Therefore, they take their time here and water the plants for a few days. Unless you know exactly where they came from.
- Wash plants well
- Do not plant plants immediately
- Water plants for a few days first
- Check water parameters
We would be happy to include the experiences of one or the other visitor here. Simply get in touch with us.
If there are already questions, we recommend our forum here.