Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are you located? Can I pickup my order? 

(November 2023) Currently, pickup services are unavailable, and we regret any inconvenience this may cause. We are working to restore this service as soon as possible, although the exact date of its return remains uncertain at this time. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

We're based out of Pickering, Ontario but we're online only. This helps keep overhead low and we can pass those savings on to you.

2. Where do you ship?

We ship to anywhere in Canada.

3. How quickly will I get my plants?

This depends on when you place your order and where you are in Canada. We ship plants every Monday and then it can take several days if you're on either coasts. Those living closer to Toronto will receive their plants sooner.

4. Do you have an order minimum?

Yes, we have an order minimum (calculated before shipping and tax). The minimum order requirement for shipping is $40. There is not minimum for local pickup.

5. What are your shipping costs?

Shipping is flat rate across Canada. As your order total grows, the shipping cost decreases. See our shipping page for more information.

6. When will you get more of XYZ?

We update our stock almost weekly. However, we're dependent on what our importer brings so we can't guarantee that a plant will be available by a particular date. If you're looking for multiple plants that are out of stock, send us a note and we'll respond to you as soon as possible. You can always checkout or event calendar found here to see when our next shipment is. 

7. Do you pre-treat for snails and other pests?

Yes, we treat plants prior to shipment however snails or their eggs can still make it through this process, even when proper precautions are taken. At Aquascaperoom Canada, we house each plant species in separate systems and implement strict quality control measures to limit contamination. However, despite our best efforts, snails or their eggs can occasionally slip through.

7a. How can I completely avoid snails in my tank?

The only way to fully guarantee that your plants are pest-free is to purchase tissue culture (in vitro) plants. These plants are grown in sterile environments, ensuring they are free of snails, eggs, and other pests. We offer a wide range of in vitro plants that are guaranteed to be 100% pest-free.

7b. What should I do if I find snails in my aquarium?

If snails are present in your tank, consider the following steps to manage and reduce their population:

Manual Removal: Regularly inspect your tank and remove visible snails with your hands or a small net.
Snail Traps: Place a piece of lettuce or cucumber in your tank overnight. The snails will be attracted to it, allowing you to remove them easily in the morning.
Clean Tank Maintenance: Snails thrive on leftover food and decaying plant matter. Ensure you’re not overfeeding your fish and remove any dead or decaying plant material regularly.
Natural Predators: Introducing snail-eating species, like assassin snails or certain loaches, can help keep snail populations in check.

7c. Will snails harm my aquarium or fish?

Most common snails are harmless to fish and plants. However, if their population grows too large, they can become a nuisance, consuming excess food and plant material, which can affect the balance of your tank. Managing their numbers will help maintain a healthy environment for your aquarium.

7d. Are snails beneficial for my tank?

Yes, in moderate numbers, snails can be beneficial. They help clean the tank by consuming algae, leftover food, and dead plant material, contributing to a cleaner and more balanced ecosystem. However, it’s essential to keep their population under control to avoid an outbreak.

7e. How can I use chemical dips like alum or bleach to remove snails and their eggs from plants?

If you prefer a more thorough approach to removing snails and their eggs from your plants, chemical dips such as alum and bleach can be effective. Here’s how to safely use these methods:

Alum Dip (Safe for Plants)
Alum (potassium aluminum sulfate) is a gentle option that is safe for most aquatic plants and effective at eliminating snails and their eggs.

Instructions:

Prepare the Dip Solution: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of alum per gallon of water in a bucket or container.

Soak the Plants: Submerge your plants in the solution for 2-3 days. This allows the alum to kill off snails and their eggs without harming the plants.

Rinse Thoroughly: After soaking, rinse the plants thoroughly under running water before adding them to your tank.
Note: Alum is generally safe for most aquarium plants but avoid prolonged exposure to sensitive plants.

Bleach Dip (More Aggressive, Use with Caution)
A bleach dip is a more aggressive method that effectively removes snails, eggs, and algae. However, it requires caution as it can damage sensitive plants if not done correctly.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bleach Solution: Mix 1 part bleach (5-10% sodium hypochlorite) with 19 parts water (a 5% bleach solution) in a container.

2. Soak the Plants: Submerge the plants for 1-2 minutes. Avoid over-soaking, as this can damage the plants.

3. Rinse Immediately: Rinse the plants thoroughly under running water to remove any bleach residue.

4. Soak in Dechlorinator Solution: After rinsing, soak the plants in water treated with a dechlorinator (such as Seachem Prime) for 5-10 minutes to neutralize any remaining bleach.

5. Final Rinse: Rinse the plants one more time with clean water before introducing them to your aquarium.

Important Notes: Bleach Sensitivity: Some delicate plants, such as mosses, ferns, and certain stem plants, may be too sensitive for bleach dips. Test on a small section or avoid bleach if you’re unsure.

Use Proper Ventilation and Gloves: Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves when handling bleach.

7f. What should I do if I have more questions or need help with a snail issue?

If you need further assistance or have any questions about snails or plant care, please feel free to contact our customer service team. We're here to help you maintain a thriving, healthy aquarium.

8. Why are my leaves yellowing and dying?

There are a few potential reasons: a) Firstly, some plants are grown out of water and go through a transition-phase once they're submerged. As part of this transition, some leaves may yellow and fall off. As long as you see new, green growth no need to worry. b) Secondly, being in a dark box for several days can cause some yellowing of older leaves. Just remove these yellow leaves and watch for new, green growth. c) Lastly, some plants drop some leaves when they're moved from one aquarium to the next due to a change in water parameters. Typically they'll go through an adjustment phase and then resume growth. This behaviour is more likely for advanced plants and rare for easy plants such as java moss, java fern, swords, vallisneria.

9. How do I redeem Aqua-Points?

When you've earned enough points you can redeem them in the form of a coupon e.g. $5, $10, or more off your purchase. To redeem your points, log into your account and then click on the aquapoints icon at the bottom left of the screen. In the pop-up window that opens, scroll down and look for a green "view" button. If this button is visible, click on it to convert your points to a coupon code. Enter the coupon code (e.g. "$5.00 OFF 8c6l583ef6g8" when you checkout (before submitting payment). See Example video Here

10. Where are my Aqua-Points?

Points are deposited once your order status has changed from "Awaiting fulfillment" to "Shipped" or "Completed"

11. What are my shipping options and what are the differences?

We offer both EXPRESS and REGULAR shipping options. Express shipping not only ensures your parcel arrives to you more quickly, but it also ensures you under our 'Dead On Arrival' Policy. In the unlikely event that a plant perishes during shipping, you will receive 110% back in store credit for the plant in question. In contrast, Regular shipping takes a bit longer to arrive and does not ensure you under the DOA policy in the event a plant arrived dead. We use Canada Post, UPS and FedEx. 

12. I have a DOA to claim, how do I proceed?

In the unlikely event of a DOA (Dead On Arrival) Please send pictures of plants in their original condition at time of arrival to info@aquascaperoom.ca Our team will review and provide you a response within 24 hours.

13. How do I add to my order? (CURRENTLY UNAVAILALBE NOV.2023) - If you wish to add to your order please email our team info@aquascaperoom.ca

The simplest way to add to your order is to place a second order and choose local pickup as your shipping method. Be sure to add text in the comments section to let our team know. Alternatively, feel free to email our team at info@aquascaperoom.ca with the additions and a payable invoice can be issued.

14. What is the difference between Tropica, ADA & Unbranded Tissue Cultures?

The differences between ADA tissue cultures, Tropica 1-2 Grow, and unbranded tissue cultures mainly come down to brand reputation, quality control, and price.
ADA and Tropica are known for their high-quality tissue cultures, with strict quality control measures to ensure healthy, pest-free plants. Each brand offers exclusive plant species that you might not find elsewhere, which can make them a preferred choice for many aquascapers.
Unbranded tissue cultures often come at a lower price because they don’t carry the branding costs, but they can still be great quality.

We carefully select the unbranded options we carry to ensure they meet our standards.
Ultimately, it depends on your preference and what you're looking for in terms of plant variety, brand trust, and price point. Let us know if you have any other questions or need help choosing!

Coupon & Sale Policy

1. What happens if I've placed an order and a new sale or discount is introduced afterward?

   If your order is pending shipment when a new sale or discount is launched, we regret to inform you that we cannot retroactively apply these new discounts or sale prices to existing orders. Our pricing reflects the prevailing promotions at the time of purchase.

2. When will I receive a refund for a canceled order during a sale or discount period?

   Refunds resulting from order cancellations will be processed after the conclusion of the ongoing sale or discount period. This measure is in place to ensure fair treatment and prevent customers from strategically ordering before anticipated significant sale events like Black Friday or Boxing Day.

3. Why does Aquascaperoom have this policy in place?

   Our policy is designed to maintain fair and consistent pricing for all customers. It prevents discrepancies in pricing and ensures that promotions apply uniformly to orders, discouraging strategic order placement ahead of anticipated sale events.

4. Can I use a new coupon or discount code on an existing order during a sale period?

   Unfortunately, once an order has been placed and is pending shipment, we cannot retroactively apply new discounts or coupon codes to that specific order. We encourage customers to utilize valid coupons or discounts at the time of purchase.

5. How can I ensure I receive the best deal during sales or promotions?

   To take advantage of our promotions and sales, we recommend placing orders during the active sale periods to benefit from the advertised discounts or special offers available at that time.

6. What if I have further questions or need clarification about the Coupon & Sale Policy?

   Should you require additional information or clarification regarding our Coupon & Sale Policy, please feel free to contact our customer service team. We are here to assist you and address any concerns you may have.

We hope these FAQs have addressed your queries about our Coupon & Sale Policy. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for your understanding and support.