The questions we answer most often, in the order people ask them.
Ordering & shipping
How fast do orders leave?
Within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Plants are packed on the day of dispatch only — never held over a weekend, which is the single biggest cause of melt in transit.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Flat rates: United States & Canada $18, Europe & UK $24, Asia & Oceania $16, rest of the world $35. Everything over $150 ships free, everywhere.
Will live plants survive the trip?
Tissue-cultured cups travel very well — they are sealed and sterile. Potted specimens ship in insulated boxes with a heat or cold pack depending on the season. If a plant arrives damaged or contaminated, send a photograph within 48 hours and we replace it, no return needed.
Stone & wood
Why is stone sold by weight and not by the piece?
Because no two pieces are the same, and pricing by the piece would mean either overcharging for the small ones or losing money on the large ones. Weight is the only honest unit. That said, we sort every crate so it contains two or three large anchors and plenty of smaller filler — which is what a layout actually needs.
How much stone do I need for my tank?
Rough guide: 60 cm tank ≈ 6–8 kg dragon stone (8–10 kg seiryu, which is denser). 90 cm ≈ 12–15 kg. 120 cm ≈ 20–25 kg. Order slightly more than the target — the best composition usually appears on the fourth or fifth re-stack.
Do I need to soak the wood first?
Malaysian driftwood sinks immediately. Spider wood and manzanita float for one to four weeks; either soak them weighted in a bucket or bed the base into the substrate and pin it with a stone.
Will stone change my water chemistry?
Dragon stone and black mountain stone are pH neutral. Seiryu contains calcium carbonate and will raise KH and pH over time — good for hard-water species, wrong for a soft-water Amazon biotope or crystal shrimp.
Plants & CO₂
Do I need CO₂ to grow a carpet?
Not for Monte Carlo, which will spread under medium light without injection, though it grows upward rather than across and needs more trimming. For HC Cuba and a tight hairgrass carpet, yes — CO₂ is not optional.
What does “tissue culture” mean?
The plant was grown in a sealed laboratory cup on sterile agar. That means no snails, no algae spores, no duckweed and no pesticide residue. It is the cleanest possible way to start a new layout.
Can I plant a brand new tank straight away?
Plant immediately, but do not add shrimp or sensitive fish. Fresh aqua soil releases ammonia for two to three weeks. Plant heavily from day one, use a bacterial starter, and do daily water changes in the first week.
Returns & support
What is your returns policy?
Unopened dry goods within 30 days, refund minus return shipping. Opened soils, used tools and live plants cannot be resold and are not returnable. Damaged-in-transit claims are ours to file, not yours — just photograph the box before opening it if it looks compressed.
Can you help me plan a layout?
Yes, and it is free. Send two photographs — one straight on, one from above — plus your tank dimensions, your light and whether you run CO₂. We draw a planting plan by hand and send it back within two to three days.