Almost ready for fish...

CaptainBarnicles said:

I second aqua essentials, the plants have always been of beautiful quality and I won't buy anywhere else now.

Just a little thought I wanted to mention regarding tetras.. you're blessed with water that is suited to a wide variety of species so don't limit yourself to just Neons and Cardinals. They are very popular in the hobby and are what everyone wants when they first start keeping fish, but unfortunately the mass breeding over the years hasn't done them any favours where immunity etc is concerned. By all means get what want, but do a bit of research to see what else is available that tickles your fancy, you'll be surprised at what you find!

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What kind of other tetras do you mean?
I have seen that you can get them in different colours

I know they like to live as a group, does the colour matter ? So is 12 neon tetras just the same as 6neons and 6 cardinals ?

As a whole, would you suggest ordering online as opposed to the local aquatic store ?

Each type of tetra eg neon and cardinal are two different species (someone here will know their scientific names off by heart but I'm not familiar haha) so you need to have good numbers of each but they both look so similar I'd just go for one and in that case I'd go for 12 Cardinals as they are generally healthier stock.

Did we discuss the fact you live near Pier Aquatics in Wigan? If so go there, in the US there are a lot of online mail-order places that are great but in the UK its not quite as good (though some good options) but since you live near Pier... go to Pier. I live near Hull (East Yorkshire) and I make the pilgrimage as often as I can it's just an amazing place.

But also incase you meant getting plants online I would recommend going online from one of the specialists - Aquarium Gardens, Pro Shrimp, Aqua Essentials, Horizon Aquatics or Riverwood Aquatics, can't really go wrong

Wills

Wills said:

Each type of tetra eg neon and cardinal are two different species (someone here will know their scientific names off by heart but I'm not familiar haha) so you need to have good numbers of each but they both look so similar I'd just go for one and in that case I'd go for 12 Cardinals as they are generally healthier stock.

Did we discuss the fact you live near Pier Aquatics in Wigan? If so go there, in the US there are a lot of online mail-order places that are great but in the UK its not quite as good (though some good options) but since you live near Pier... go to Pier. I live near Hull (East Yorkshire) and I make the pilgrimage as often as I can it's just an amazing place.

Wills

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Yes I went to pier last weekend for the first time. It was great. To be honest I will probably get my plants from there.

777james777 said:

Yes I went to pier last weekend for the first time. It was great. To be honest I will probably get my plants from there.

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To be fair I had a nosey last time I was there and they did have a good mix some unusual ones too - Banana plants in particular stood out.

Wills said:

To be fair I had a nosey last time I was there and they did have a good mix some unusual ones too - Banana plants in particular stood out.

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There’s a chance that I missed them, I just saw a small tank with about maybe 10 plants in.

777james777 said:

What kind of other tetras do you mean?
I have seen that you can get them in different colours

I know they like to live as a group, does the colour matter ? So is 12 neon tetras just the same as 6neons and 6 cardinals ?

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My favourite tetras are Emperor tetras and Congo tetras, they're two of the bigger species but in my opinion are stunning! Type into your Google search bar 'tetra species' and you'll have a whole load of different types come up, there's so much to choose from

Then check them on Seriously Fish.
Some tetras are fast swimmers which need a long tank, some are slow swimmers which are suitable for shorter tanks; and fast and slow swimmers shouldn't really be mixed as the fast ones can stress the slow ones just by dashing around.
Some tetras need warmer water than others; for example neon tetras like it on the cooler side while the very similar looking cardinal tetras like it warmer. Try to choose fish which need the same temperature.
Some tetras are very nippy, examples are serpae tetras (avoid those at all costs!) and black or white widow/skirt tetras (different names and colours but same species)
Tetras are mainly south American fish. If you don't mind mixing continents, look at harlequin rasboras (from Asia) as well.

Essjay said:

Then check them on Seriously Fish.
Some tetras are fast swimmers which need a long tank, some are slow swimmers which are suitable for shorter tanks; and fast and slow swimmers shouldn't really be mixed as the fast ones can stress the slow ones just by dashing around.
Some tetras need warmer water than others; for example neon tetras like it on the cooler side while the very similar looking cardinal tetras like it warmer. Try to choose fish which need the same temperature.
Some tetras are very nippy, examples are serpae tetras (avoid those at all costs!) and black or white widow/skirt tetras (different names and colours but same species)
Tetras are mainly south American fish. If you don't mind mixing continents, look at harlequin rasboras (from Asia) as well.

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I think I will probably go for cardinal tetras. I group of tetras is definitely my starting point. Due to what has been said about the weak immune systems of neon tetras due to over breeding etc

Bear in mind that cardinals need the water a bit warmer (between 23 and 29 deg C, and the middle of that range is best so around 26 deg C) so you'll need tank mates with the same temp requirements.

I got my first 5 plants today

Microsorium pteropis “javafern”
Exhindodorus paniculatus “Amazon sword”
Ludwiga respond diamond Red

The java fern needs to be attached to decor, the other two planted in the substrate. Is that feathery leaved thing in the photo Limnophila sessiflora aka ambulia?
When you are ready to plant them, remove as much of that rock wool as you can from round the roots. Be gentle so you don't damage the roots. I use a straightened out paper clip to get the bits in small areas.

For the java fern either tie it on using thread of some sort (I use dressmaking thread, others have used fishing line) or glue it on with cyanoacrylate superglue (read the ingredients on the packaging). I am given to understand that the gel type is easier to use as that stays where you put it while the liquid type runs everywhere and turns white under water (and makes whatever it is glued onto look a mess)

Essjay said:

The java fern needs to be attached to decor, the other two planted in the substrate. Is that feathery leaved thing in the photo Limnophila sessiflora aka ambulia?
When you are ready to plant them, remove as much of that rock wool as you can from round the roots. Be gentle so you don't damage the roots. I use a straightened out paper clip to get the bits in small areas.

For the java fern either tie it on using thread of some sort (I use dressmaking thread, others have used fishing line) or glue it on with cyanoacrylate superglue (read the ingredients on the packaging). I am given to understand that the gel type is easier to use as that stays where you put it while the liquid type runs everywhere and turns white under water (and makes whatever it is glued onto look a mess)

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Yes the shop owner explained about attaching the Java fern. I think a bit of fishing line is safer/cheaper. He did say to keep it in its pot.
So do I need to physically remove the other from their pots and plant stem by stem ?

You need to remove all the plants from their pots. Did he mean leave the java fern in its pot? How on earth are you supposed to attach it to decor if it's left in the pot?
You need to remove all the rock wool as well as the pots from all the plants, then spread the roots out as much as you can when you plant them. They may float out at first, many people use a few pebbles round the stem to keep them down till the roots have spread out enough to anchor them - then the pebbles can be removed.

Essjay is beating me to every reply here but, what she said