Top Fin Colored Gravel

fish_4_all

http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_...hp?category=11

List of some non aquatic plants. Also avoid bamboo, lucky plant, or anything else that looks like it should be grown in a flower pot.

The same site has a lot of aquatic plants that will give oyu an idea of what to look for when you do go to decide on what plants to get.

Remember you do not have to wait until the tank is cycled to add the plants.

Seamoe

I bought the pea gravel and tried to add it to the already water-filled tank. Even thought I had rinsed the gravel, it clouded up the tank something awful. So, I went back to square one, and restarted the tank, this time putting the gravel in first after rinsing it a few more times. It looks good now. And no more blue water.

Thanks for that list, fish_4_all. I compiled the info from that site into a "Yes" and "No" list. I presented it to the lady at the fish/aquatic plant place (not PetSmart, it's another place I found) and got a chuckle and funny looks, but they seemed to have true aquatic plants there.

I bought a Cardinal Plant, a Wentii, and another plant which name I cannot remember. I also bought some Java Moss, but I had to take it out because it became scattered around the tank and started clogging the filter. I'd like to get something less likely to float up and more likely to cover the gravel instead.

Unfortunately, I bouht the plants before redoing the tank and they took a bit of beating while I put them aside to wait for the water to dechlorinate again. But they seem to be rebounding just fine, and I've now got my tank set up with the plants and two African Dwarf Frogs.

Tyyrlym

My local Petsmart has a large selection of drift wood, plants, and "natural" looking decorations. In fact my LFS doesn't stock aquarium decorations at all aside from a small case of live plants.

Jasey

Petsmart here is the same way. However, the ones I have been to do not carry Eco-Complete. I've only seen that at LFS's.


Seamoe, I'm glad you finally got the tank up with the plants and frogs! That pea gravel sure is dusty to begin with. I had to let a hose run through mine for 30 minutes before the water was clear again.
As for the Java Moss, it needs to be tied down to something so that it will root to the object before it will stay put. I currently have some tied down to a piece of driftwood. Once it attaches you can remove the string, although my LFS said it may take a couple of months.