This site is supported by the advertisements on it, please disable your AdBlocker so we can continue to provide you with the quality content you expect.
  1. We are after as many aquarium plant images that we can get, doing so will assist us in completing the aquarium plant database.

    https://barrreport.com/threads/aquatic-plant-images-wanted.14374/
    Dismiss Notice

Source for plants, equipment in central MI

Discussion in 'Advanced Strategies and Fertilization' started by DMills, Feb 6, 2006.

  1. DMills

    DMills Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2005
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    2:22 PM
    Can anyone recommend a good local source for plants, substrate etc. in Detroit/Lansing/Ann Arbor MI area? The big box stores will sell blue or orange gravel, and that's about the extent of it.

    I'm looking for substrate and decent plants for a tank re-do.

    Thanks, D.
     
    #1 DMills, Feb 6, 2006
  2. Simpte

    Simpte Prolific Poster

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2005
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    2:22 PM
    Re: Source for plants, equipment in central MI

    You're better off getting plants from local hobbyists or forums such as this one or aquabotanic.com or apc. As for substrate, shipping can be a real deterrant for substrates but look around for turface or soilmaster. Someone may have it locally (gardening centers, landscaping centers).
     
    #2 Simpte, Feb 6, 2006
  3. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
    Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    18,678
    Likes Received:
    682
    Local Time:
    2:22 PM
    Re: Source for plants, equipment in central MI

    I would suggest: ADA soil(50$), SM(17-18$) or plain old sand(8$), 30 grit, 2-3mm size. Sandblasting sand etc works well, they sell it at the cement places etc.

    Notr: you do get what you pay for and you can grow things without spending $$, but I think it's worth it to most to justify the ADa soil.


    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #3 Tom Barr, Feb 6, 2006
  4. Simpte

    Simpte Prolific Poster

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2005
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    2:22 PM
    Re: Source for plants, equipment in central MI

    ADA soil takes too long to get :( Not enough distributorships in the U.S. and none of the East coast to my knowledge.
     
    #4 Simpte, Feb 7, 2006
  5. DMills

    DMills Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2005
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    2:22 PM
    Re: Source for plants, equipment in central MI

    Sorry, Tom, what's ADA soil?

    I have looked high and low around here for Turface or Soilmaster and this time of year it's just impossible to find.

    How about Aquatic Plant Soil - fuller's earth? I found some of this at one of the higher end garden centers around here. It's not Laterite, but it is a pH neutral non-disintegrating clay. Will this stuff provide much in the way of minerals for the plants, or is it really just an inert substrate like sand, but won't compact like sand?

    OK Simpte - Anybody want to help out with some plant donations? I'll happily pay some postage.

    D.
     
    #5 DMills, Feb 7, 2006
  6. VaughnH

    VaughnH Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    3,011
    Likes Received:
    90
    Local Time:
    2:22 PM
    Re: Source for plants, equipment in central MI

    Go to the Lesco website (http://www.lesco.com/?PageID=27&ItemNumber=083365) and enter your zip code to find a dealer nearest to you, where you can have a bag of Soilmaster sent for pick up with no shipping charge.

    I will be trimming my watersprite, stargrass, and h. diformis in a few days. Do you want some of any of them? The stargrass doesn't ship very well, but the others do.
     
    #6 VaughnH, Feb 7, 2006
  7. DMills

    DMills Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2005
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    2:22 PM
    Re: Source for plants, equipment in central MI

    VaughnH - Thanks for the tip. I'll get ahold of the Lesco folks. I called a few places around here and didn't get much of an answer or even any knowledge of the SM product.

    As for the plants - I'd appreciate them. Will they be OK to ship or will they be plant-cicles by the time they get to me. It was 18° here this morning.

    D.
     
    #7 DMills, Feb 8, 2006
  8. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
    Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    18,678
    Likes Received:
    682
    Local Time:
    2:22 PM
    Re: Source for plants, equipment in central MI

    Well, the ADA soil is on back order but Jeff at ADG should be getting a bunch in, you might call Aqua Forest in SF, they also will ship.

    Lesco is fairly good, I brought 8 bags for our club here, they are all gone:)
    It looks good.

    Most are very happy with it and for the cost, it's nearly impossible to beat.
    It's every much as good as ECO Complete except for the dust and rinsing requirement.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #8 Tom Barr, Feb 8, 2006
  9. DMills

    DMills Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2005
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    2:22 PM
    Re: Source for plants, equipment in central MI

    I picked up two bags of SM red at my local Lesco store. $15 for 50 lbs. VaughnH has supplied me with a very nice water sprite specimen. Now all that's left is to do the tear down and get the substrate in.

    Thanks for the tips.

    D.
     
    #9 DMills, Feb 15, 2006
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - Source plants equipment
  1. brrrpr

    Plants wastes and carbon sources

    brrrpr, Aug 13, 2016, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    157
    brrrpr
    Aug 13, 2016
  2. Jim in Michiana

    Share your best source for freshwater plants

    Jim in Michiana, Mar 11, 2009, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    8
    Views:
    95
    torpedobarb
    Mar 22, 2009
  3. Left C

    Are aquatic plants able to use Sodium hexametaphosphate as a phosphate source?

    Left C, Jul 6, 2007, in forum: Advanced Strategies and Fertilization
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    122
    Left C
    Jul 8, 2007
  4. Fishfur

    Canadian Sources For Diy Fert Ingredients

    Fishfur, Nov 22, 2018, in forum: Aquatic Plant Fertilization
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    228
    Julia Adkins
    Dec 5, 2018
  5. siavash

    Citric acid and citrate as liquid carbon source?

    siavash, Nov 11, 2017, in forum: Non-CO2 Methods
    Replies:
    10
    Views:
    2,189
    siavash
    Nov 14, 2017

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice