My first true attempt at aquascaping (opinions)

I'm no expert, but it's a nice start (you said you were adding plants as your LFS gets them in). The plants you have look healthy and you have a nice variety. If you like them, you might buy multiples. The substrate is interesting and the wood is a very nice piece. As those plants grow taller, they are going to look great! Especially the Val (one of my personal favorites). I just saw your other post and it says you plan for "harquins, blue rams, cories, and I think some pearl gouramis".

I just updated my previous post, after seeing your other post where you name the fish you have. As I looked at the pics there, I was thinking that dark color along the back would help the fish show up, but then I realized that this tank was meant to be viewed from all angles. With the plant arrangement you have, the background color at the back would work.

I love the driftwood. The plants looks real nice. I would definitely change the light. I've just finished setting up my new 29 gallon tank with plants, but I plan to buy different ones as soon as I upgrade my lights.

If your interested, I know that I'll have a lot of pennywort plants I'll be getting rid of soon. Gorgeous plants.

Here's a picture of them.

Lissette

To be honest, I don't know. It would be my first time dealing with this. I don't even know if they ship well. Maybe somone can give us some advice on this.

It just seems like such a shame to throw them out in the garbage when someone else can use them in their tank.

I received them by mail from Aquarium Plant.com (within 2 days). The leaves were very small and the plant was pale. I can't say this was attributed from the shipping, because since I've given them some tlc, they have blossomed. The leaves are big light green and round and the stems are a lot thicker. I think that they just sent me the worst of the bunch, I can't believe that it was caused by shipping.

Lissette

Looks like a pretty good start to me. I like the look of the substrate, is that Eco-Complete?

Shipping plants its very expnesive. Expect to pay $20+ to ship them. To me, its not worth it unless your buying a whole bunch. Some pet stores will special order if you ask them. Let them deal with the shipping! Its costs them less anyway since they buy more items at a time.

But most plants would survive shipment. How else would they get to the pet store? Just shipe them overnight or within a day or two.

As for the gravel, I think a very fine substrate is optimal for growing good roots. The plants really stay in better with a fine substrate.

It looks like you don't have an undergravel filter which is good. You can grow plants with them, but I prefer to not have one. The roots of the plants can get tangled in the holes of the undergravel filter and tear. Plus the "open water" in the under gravel filter isn't good for the roots.

Last, if you don't want snails be very careful to check the plants you put in and the tank at your pet store. If there are snails at the pet store, you will probably get snails. They lay eggs everywhere and multiple fast. They don't do much harm, but most people don't like the sight of them. Its all opinion though.