Review Of Online Shops

[lisa_perry75]

Alot of people ask about online companies so I thought I would document my findings.

Java Plants - [URL="http/www.java-plants.com/"]http/www.java-plants.com/[/URL]

Following the article in PFK I decided to get some plants from Java. I'm not sure if I am allowed but I thought I would review my service as a whole.
I recieved what I ordered. All plants were separated into species and were labelled by name. All were packed very well although the quality of the plants variable. The Bacopa caroliana was quite far gone although I recieved one extra stem. The Crypto Wenditii I recieved 4 extra stems but many leaves had holes or were yellow. The hairgrass was flowering but I think the portion was a tad stingy, although I got rather alot of the dwarf hairgrass. It took about a week to come. I bought a single "african tiger lotus" which was completely crushed flat but now in my tank (currently without lighting atm) has perked up alot although the Bacopa has not done very well at all. The vallis torta arrived ok and has settled in ok. Postage cost £1.95.

I had no idea what I was ordering really, like how much 5 Crypts actually was. So I have ordered a few more from Greenline (god love credit cards eh!). Overall I don't think I would order from Java again.

Overall review
Selection - 9/10
Quality of plants - 5/10
Value for Money - 7/10 although it's cheap I have to replace some as they are dying
Postage speed - 6/10 I was warned about the time it takes but it still is too long in my mind
Postage wrapping - 8/10 the plants arrived wet
All in all 7/10


Greenline - [URL="http/www.aquaticplants.eu.com/"]http/www.aquaticplants.eu.com/[/URL]

So I had to make an order to greenline to make up for the iffy plants from Java, in an established tank they would do fine but I was concerned with a new setup they may leech ammonia etc.

Order included
Marseila crenata - Got the right amount a few leaves browning
Bacopa monneri - Was okay at the top but bottom half of leaves mainly yellow
Bacopa caroliana - Pretty good quality
Cryptocroyne wenditii - Pretty good quality
Eleocharis parvula - Not looking amazing but mostly green
Hygrophila Rosanervis - Very disappointed with this as all stems were 3-4", over two days I lost another inch or so off them and many leaves were dropping off. Almost unuseable.

Overall review
Selection - 9/10
Quality of plants - 6/10
Value for Money - 8/10 plants are cheap but some still poor quality
Postage speed - 9/10 was sent guaranteed next day delivery.
Postage wrapping - 8/10 the plants arrived wet individually wrapped, with labels saying what and how much was enclosed.
All in all 8/10

If you want my advice Tropica plants are bigger, healthier and you can choose good specimens. Pets at home sell pots for £3.49 or 3 for £9. If you ask them nicely they may be able to order in specific requests. This may seem expensive. It's not! Considering the individual plants you get per pot and the health and vitality of the plants just go for it. The hassle you will have with sub-par plants and having to get florish excel to stave off algal blooms, you may as well go for it!

Hope this helps people with potential online orders

 

[john starkey]

Hi Lisa,good idea in my opinion to do rateing, i also agree you get what you pay for these days and i dont think tropica can be beaten, the amount of plantlets in one pot is great and you will have plenty to plant just from a few pots, my own personal experience with online venders was with plants alive and i would never ever use them again complete rubbish, regards john.

 

[chrisn20]

Hi John, could I just ask why you would not use plants alive again. I am about to put in an order with them myself as the prices seemed reasonable to me and as a newbie just starting out didn't want to spend too much on plants that will probably die on me.

My water is very soft and my local lfs only has things like elodea and vallis, both have died off in my tank, the cabomba however seems to be thriving which seems odd considering it is supposed to be harder to grow than the others.

 

[fozziebear]

the quality from plants alive is really inferior, i would use greenline if i was you, their site is www.aquaticplants.eu.com they have a good range and the plants are always packed well, i would go for next day delivery though not standard.

 

[chrisn20]

OK, thanks for that. Greenline it is then. Would you recommend a 'starter set' or should I just choose a few of the hardier sorts to start out with?

 

[fozziebear]

because you have softer water i would go for species that like softer water conditions, go to www.tropica.com and have a look at their catalogue to get an idea what would go well in your tank, then just search for it on greenline, when i ordered from greenline i got a premium set and it was really good, but obviously only some of the plants will do well in your tank, for me a few of the plants died off but most stayed strong.


a discus set might be good for your water conditions but it depends wether you like the plants that are in it.