Plants for the beginner

[Caltus]

Just getting started with my tank (u can check out the newbie forum for my specs, i'll work on the sig.) and i have some questions for the plant community. Wasnt impressed at the quality and variety at petsmart, i am gonna check out the only other LFS that i know of. But i am prob. leaning twords online purchase. i came across this starter kit on Aquabotanic for 65 + shipping

30 to 55 gallon
6 assorted bunched stem plants
3 Cryptocoryne pots
12 dwarf sag
2 small swords
1 show sword

Is that a good deal?
i am running a Coralife 24" 20 watt Nutri Grow bulb, won the hood on ebay so that was included as well as a Eclipse Natural Daylight F18-T8, i dont know the wattage. Each used for about 2 months, they said .

My other question involves the sand. what do i need to do to fertalize. should i do it before i add the plants, after? What should i use? Any good resources etc?

Ive purchased the line of flourish products as well, When do i start applying that? is it something that is done immediatly or after the plants get going?

Check out
Introduction + Tank Specs for the rest of my specs and questions if ur interested =)

Thank you
Caltus

 

[boiceboy]

I don't think thats a very good deal on plants. I just set up a planted tank and ordered all my plants off http://www.aquaticplantdepot.com

They seem to have some of the best prices around. My plants all came in good to great condition. My only beef with them is I got a lot of stowaway snails, a snail leech, and a couple wierd water insect things in my plants. That can be avoided with a bleach dip, which you can find more info on in the forums. The watersprite, wisteria, and dwarf sag came in ESPECIALLY great condition. Wherever you order, order more than you think you can fit, because you'll still be able to fit it. Also, as advised in another post on the boards, a long set of tweezers is a blessed tool, especially if you plant something like dwarf sag or glosso or some other groundcover type plant.