This is the third post for me, and I have not recieved a single response to any of them, so if I get something out of this one, I'm gone.

I am switching to a 125gal. tank from a 55 gal. I want to transplant the fish, and start using natural plants, but I have two good sized (3 1/2") silver dollars and a large (6") Bala shark. Is it even worth me moving these guys or will they just eat my plants?

Also, I have considered CO2, but am wondering if it's worth the cost? where to get a good deal (online)? how big of one I would need? what kind of maintenence is involved? how do you maintain your Ph level?

Any insight would be appreciated.

hello, your big sized fishes will probably uproot the plants, yes a CO2 unit is a very good investment, going for around RM500 for both the regulator and the CO2 tank. Maintenance is going to be water changes and fertilisation. you maintain Ph level by adjusting your CO2 accodring to the CO2-kH-ph chart which you can find in most websites. hope this helps

hi,

just want to add that depends on the plant you plant. The fish you have will def chase the very helpful yamato shrimps[who eat a lot of organic debris] around.[if not gobble] so no, i don't think it's a good idea to keep these two in planted tanks.
your fish won't be able to munch tough amazon swords but will definitely find mosses and softer blyxa's and crispus palatable.
as mentioned by overdrive, your fish may uproot or damage the softer plants.
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Normally to setup a planted tank, you need to mature the growth before you even consider putting in fish other than 'worker' fish/shrimp.[otocinclus, dwarf puffer, yamato, cherry[not with yamato], ....]

So consider starting from scratch other than your tank.

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Start with your objective.
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Have a picture in mind? do a bit of homework and find out what plants are used. because the plants determine what kind of hardware you need to a certain degree...
So once you have artistic objective in mind, the other objective all aquascapers have is to keep the tank with healthy plants in algae free condition.
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Tank-height matters, the higher it is the less light reach the bottom. important consideration when you want to plant carpet grass or riccias that need a lot of light.
lighting-bulbs-correct temperature and intensity[~2W per gallon average depending on plants and height of tank] for plants to photosynthesize. bubbling under leaf is measure of this. of all the lighting i researched, MH is the best for penetration into water and efficient conversion of power to light and the cleanest looking with exception of T5 VHO's which come close.

co2-as mentioned by overdrive. Balance is very important: light photo period[8-12 hrs]/intensity-co2- fertilizer at 24-28c temperature. 26-28 is also ok.
the reason is, you want your plants to be the top competitor for all the nutrients in the water so that algae can't get any.
filtration- you need a canister filter as this method reduces loss or co2 by inlet into a co2 reactor. co2 reactor is a chamber to dissolve the gas properly in water and jet it around the aquarium so that all the plants get co2 supply.

Water change regime- about a third a week is good, this is to ensure you are diluting whatever nutrients in the water not taken up by your plants so that algae can't get to it[i can go up to three weeks]

Fertilisation regime. daily if possible as this reduces 'dumping' period. meaning the period where there too much nutrients in the water before the plants use it up into acceptable levels. remember idea of leaving nothing to algae...

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this is just basic outline. so judging from the fish you keep, you'd need a bit more in hand before going into this because it's a bit like marine though a little less complicated. You are creating an aquascape-a living environment where everything is balanced by you...

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hope this helps you decide and good if you could post your 'dream' tank. the one you want and some members like me here can help.

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Great explanation! well one thing though, I'm in favour of the "dumping" fertilisation, cuz I'm always away so don't really have the time to fertilise everyday all depends on one actually, guess what? my Gold tetras in my 4 feet tank laid some eggs which I didn't know, and yesterday I saw 2 babies swimming along happily eating, the rest got eaten I guess

ha ha,
i am too... soo lazy in fact only do it once every three week or whenever i see the fast growers[relatively!] looking yellow or cacat...haha...
tip-never keep all slow growers...you need some medium growers in there too to check for trace mineral deficiency...and to suck up the excess nutrient too.

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/