Good Plant selection in Cape Town?

Could any of the Cape Town members point me to a place where I can get a good selection of plants as well as the correct advice on how to care for them?

My tank is 1200mm x 600 (w) x 550(d), with a sump. Tank volume is 396lt, sump +/- 100lt. Lighting is 2x 54w Osram Skylite and 2x54w Sylvania Grolux?. All the lights have the built in reflectors in the hood casing. It's one of those fancy aluminium things that Aquarium Depot sell with the built in moonlights, reflectors etc.Substrate is 70kg of Seachem Flourite. I also have a bucket of Sera Floradepot to add if needed.

I guess my question is how do I set this up properly, is my lighting adequate and where can I go to for plants and advice. The LFS all seem to have the same three or four different types of plants and can't give me any advice on care and maintenance. Also can't seem to get advice on the correct way to set the system up and what is suitable for a beginner. They are very keen to sell me all sorts of equipment and scragly looking plants but very short on the "how to " side of things. Maybe I've been going to the wrong Fish shops?

I asked for help on the planted tanks forum, but so far not one offer of advice from any Cape Town members:wondering:.

Maybe I should pretend that I know something and then when everyone corrects me, sort through all the comments and piece it all together (LOL):bigsmile:

 

Heehee... that sounds about how a lot of people do it... I've done it a few times... not purposfully, but I really thought I was making sense.

Steve, see if you can get into contact with Solex69. He's very seldom online, so you might have to PM him and wait. He's excellent with plants, and could give you brilliant advice.

Guido is in Hout Bay area I think. He could also help you out.

And if memory serves me correct, Laure is also in CT... he is exellent with his planting knowledge too.

 

Hi Steve!

Ther is not really any decent plant places in Cape Town! The best thing to do is to rather try and learn as much as you can about plants, and decide which plants you actually want. A google search for aquarium plants may help with that phase?

Once you've done this maybe put in a request with the sponsors here for some specific plants, and get to know a few folk on the forum, and keep an eye on the classifieds as well! From time to time people are trimming back plants and sharing them with their fellow forum folk!

One place that I've been told has good decent plants is Hartlands Aquatics in Riebeek Casteel. Its quite a drive, but I believe certain plant Guru's on this forum only go to him for plants! I as yet have not been! Too long a drive for me at the moment!! And I'd hate to drive all that way and then find he has no stock!!

As for your substrate maybe take a look at the thread in the 'Ask the Prof' forum entitled 'Palm Fibre Peat'. Its a very interesting read, and does also discuss Flourish to a degree!

As for your lighting, it is more than adequate for plants.

I hope that has in some small way helped you??

Cheers
Big G!

 

guys i have a plant permit - if we can get the intrest i will do an import - just know the minimum import is like 10K

 

Does that mean Dolphin is importing 10k worth of plants every time?

 

depends who his supplier is - but thats my contacts rules - I'm putting the offer out there - take it, dont take it....

 

Henk,

Maybe if you put a list of what is available, then people will give you an order?? I think more people will respond if you have a list they can peruse!?

Just a thought??

Cheers
Big G!

 

Hi Big G, many thanks for thr reply. Your suggestion makes sense, so if I make up a list, would somebody be able to tell me if the plants are suitable for a beginner and where to plant them regarding amount of light required and which position. In other words are the plants foreground, middle ground or tall background plants? Also if they are available. You see the problem is that the only thing I know about water plants is that they die if you do not give them their proper requirements of light and food etc.

Regarding Riebeek Kasteel, I am more than willing to provide the transport if you want to go and have a look see. I need somebody who can tell me what to buy and not to buy, based on me being a beginner in this. Do you have a contact number for them? We can give them a call first to find out what their stock situation is like and then take a drive out there.

Thanks Zoom, I will see if I can contact these guys.

 

G - i'll ask them for a list - it will be in us$ and without freight etc....

 

Hey Steve,

I would love to come along for the ride in a few weeks time (my wife is still recovering from a C-Section, so have to be around to do stuff for her) if you don't go before?? As for telling you whats what, I'm no Plant Guru, so would be useless on that front!! Someone like Solex69 would be the perfect person to come if he had time??

All I know is that Hygrophilia and Cteratopteris grow well, and vallis should be fine too for a beginner. The fact that you are using Flourish would suggest that a few more 'complex' species could be kept, and if you used the Palm fibre peat with Chemicult as well, then I think it opens up even more options! I would however suggest that you use Prof Bellstedts water column ferts (commonly known as Dirks Drops) to add nutrients into the water itself! many people on here are using it including myself, and it works really well!!

Maybe some one would be willing to do a sticky with a list of plants suitable for foreground, middle and background?? I know I also would find that a useful piece of info, which is not so easy to find online!

I'm also amazed by the list of blacklisted plants for import, as if we follow that, then virtually no plants are allowed!! Can't import certain plants, and can't use 'indigeneous' plants either! So whats left to use??

Cheers
Big g!

 

Henk I would be interested to see the list also.

 

Me three. I have some lovely emersed stuff for my pond also I have those pharoah's blue lilies that are awesome. I would like moss and finest ground cover possible.

 

i'll just post the list on the forum....

 

Pics Pls

 

Donny i am not posting photos of a 30 page list of plants....

 

Sorry clicked on wrong link to reply was talking about your tank.

 

Right guys here it is - lets see if we can get an order setup. Freight is normally double the shipments cost and then still +- R2000 for the clearing process.

many of these plants are on the import black list - so make your sellection and i will check it against the permit

So lets see if we can place a TASA order

 

I'll take one of each

 

1x 20 of each as per the minimum order?!? guys - this is also only for CPT members as i am NOT willing to ship all over the place. I am doing this in my PRIVATE capacity for the forum members - if you want to order some plants please arrange with one of the Cape Town members

 

Hey Henk,

Can u please help me understand roughly what it would cost ME in the end??

If for instance I ordered Rotala AP497 Rotala wallichii - Bundle Bundle 0.30, how much would that cost ME per bundle??

I realise that its a minimum of 20 bundles per species, but just trying to simplify things!

Cheers
Big G!