darn, i was thinking of getting one of those, the filters will all be hidden..
so, what kind of aquariums are suitable fro plants??
and the CO2 system is damn expensive, cost around the same as another aquarium..... i need to go look at more planted aquariums......
are the lightings expensive...
and are most of the LHS have sufficient knowledge on planted aquariums??

read about some of those DIY CO2 systems using yeast.
it's cheap to setup, but is it effective and safe for the fish??
have u tried setting up one of those?
what type of aquarium and filtering system would you recommend?
i was planning to get a nice aquarium but did not plan to spend alot on the filtering system.... quite the opposite from the pure hobbists, eh

i stay in shah alam and work in kl, plus i use federal,
it may not be too far, but the traffic is crazy.......

The normal tank which without any sump tank or with internal filtering system will do. If you can't get the branded canister. You can get the china brand like Jebo canister. RM160-200... not bad also. Else, just use the hang on filter...but it is not as good as canister.

Yes. I was using DIY CO2. But you need a better DIY reactor as well. Else, you might need to redo the CO2 every 7-10 days. You can read another thread in this forum for how to make DIY CO2. The only disadvantage is you cant turn off the DIY CO2 at nite... it will run 24 hours until it finished.
I saw a small CO2 cylinder in lfs. selling for RM200-300. It can use for few months...if u maintain the low usage. (depends on how big is yr tank also)

If you are in planted tank. Sometime, you cant really save much on it. I was using all DIY things to maintain the tank. End up the plants look like shit. I am using hang on filter...it is not bad. And DIY lighting. I am spent around RM1000 for a 4ft tank.

most of the lfs wanna earn money. and they will asking u to buy this n that. if without this n that..u cant make it... so, sometime, we need to surf the net and read all the articles.. and learn.

I am learning everyday. Just met cjming and a lady we met in 88 last nite. We talk non stop...till 88 closed. hahaha....

1000 inclusive of the tank??
i was budgeting about 800 for the tank... those nice tanks with a cupboard and etc.......
another 200+ for the fishes plus plant...
perhaps another 300 for filter.... wiht minimal lighting and DIY CO2

u guys are reallly hardcore aquatic-planters......hahahaa
that is very almost exceeding my budget already.....

any idea where i can find some nice aquariums at a reasonable price...
for a 4ft with sump tanks, i'm seeing about 800+....

u r able to find some nice tank, plants n fishes with RM1000. But not the lighting n CO2 set for RM300. Beside that, you need to hv gravel + fertilizer... which will cost you another hundred ringgit.

You can goto Jenny Aquarium in Old Klang Road. They can custom make the tank for you with cheaper price. You can call Robert at 012 3215669. Said friend introduced and ask for best price.

i believe all of us using the 4ft tank without any sump tank for planted tank setup. Unless the tank with sump tank for Arowana, blood parrot or other bigger fishes.

thanks alot, dom....
you have been most helpful...
now i need to get my finances in place......
last weekend, i went to extra in klang, they were selling wood for 10 bucks each, nicely wrapped in plastic....
you said u spent 1000 on the aquarim alone or the whole system?
i went to a lhs shop in klang, they have this 4ft aquarium with the filtering system at the top, totally hidden, 1000 bucks exactly.... abit too expensive and not exactly what i had in mind..... will keep hunting, and will call your contact in jenny aquarium when i am ready...
i might just go simple and easy at first, some hardy plants, DIY CO2, and normal lighting first.....
how long do you need for the plants to grow into the aquarium...??

it is depends on what kind of plants you keeping. Some plants growing slow. Some are fast.

Like Rotala, Crypt...etc. they grow quite fast if we proper lighting n CO2. But for Anubias nana golden. It will grow slow.. If i m not mistaken, i read an article...it said nana grow 1-6 leaf per year.

thanks alot for the advice.......
i have really learned alot from this forum......
i bet i will have more questions when i actually start getting the equipment and the tank running....
thank you again to everyone.... you all have been most helpful, especially mr dom......

got more questions now..... how do i clean and ensure all the wood and rocks that i put into the tank are clean...
what about the subsoil, sand and etc, do i need to clean them as well?

haha...no worry. i m learnin everyday also. Learn from members, lfs and web site...

for drift wood. It is better to wash it and soak into the water for a week at least. Else, you can get boil it with hot water for 6 hours.

Rock, normally i get the boiled water and soak it...then use the brush to make it clean.

Soil...gravel. wash it 2-3 times per day. After washed, soak with water. repeat it for a week...