I am wanting some anubias plants or java ferns; I could go to pets at home and pay £25 for some OR
get some of ebay for £20 OR
get some of ebay from overseas such as Malaysia for £5

From Malaysia means I could get 4times as many and just hope they survive the trip to the UK. I would quarantine these plants anyhow after the horrible A5 aquatics plants and ick incident, that left me with very ill fish and a lot of dead fish not to mention the money costs and torment. Its kind of put me of plants and yet made me think even if I get plants from close by there is still a chance they will have diseases or parasites.

So should I take the risk? Or play safe spend more money for less plants that may also have parasites? I mean the ebay sellers all have good feedback and have sold loads.

Anyone else brought plants or fish from abroad?

I haven't bought plants or live fish from abroad. As long as you quarantine the plants for a least a week then I really don't see a problem. Quarantining is important, I once bought some plants from a shop and didn't quarantine, I inadvertently introduced Malaysian Trumpet Snails into the aquarium which turned into a bit of a nightmare. However, if I had been sensible and quarantined them, I would have realised they contained rogue snails.

have you checked how long the shipment will take? and how much would be the minimm order?
plants normally could survive several week in a bag of water. all you need is a good
cleaning and some solution to remove contaminants and snails... even if the leaves wilted, the
chore and roots remains alive and will recover in time..

I think Im going to do it

I will always quarantine plants now after buying from lfs and having ick.

I might go to pets at home today and see what they have.

Im guessing shipment may be as long as 4weeks depending on if they send by ship or plane

my trial planted tank is doing great... but i lost all my red rili shrimps with the dragonfly nymphs
i only have sagittaria, cabomba and some moss as carpet..

i've been purchasing plants from ebay (Malaysia) for a while now - great amount for the price ... it takes about 2 weeks to get to nyc ... and the plants still looks healthy (java moss, fern). I put them in a salt bath for a few hours to remove any snails, wash them off in another water bath and put them in a bucket with an air stone for a day or so before i put them in the tank. Don't forget to add some kind of light source. I def understand how you feel about adding something new to your setup and catching something nasty........been there too many times .... =) I would say...give them a good wash...and Q them for a few days to be certain.

ok a new pets at home set up near by so we went there today and they had a huge rock with anubias on and a bogwood with java fern. They were 2 for £30 and very established so loads of plants on them. I brought them as they look so good and have put them in buckets for now.

I think I will buy from abroad aswell to add more plants as it gets established.

I thought my light was broke but its working again now so thats good news aswell.

they had a really nice crowntail Betta for £4.99 aswell I was so tempted to buy him they are normally £15 but they said pets at home have a standard price and thats that for male bettas. They dont change it for the rarer ones so I am really tempted to go back hope he is still there. I need to move the other fish first though. I f he stays its fate I guess.

@paul nice tank