Is it worth it?

[lwooters]

I have a 55 set up with some semi-aggressives now. A couple sharks and silver dollars. I have pea sized rock as a substrate and nothing else. I'm thinking about putting some plants in there after looking at the beautiful pictures on here. Will I have to add a smaller substrate to my tank? To me, that won't be worth it. The tank has been established for probably 5 years and I don't want to upset it that much. I didn't know if there were any plants I could just put in to replace the plastic ones I have now.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

its worth it. i would start out with something like java moss and java fern. these are both low light and dont need any gravel.

 

[midiamin]

Silver dollars eat plants. Maybe/maybe not Java Fern. Also try onion bulbs, bolbitis. All taste nasty and may deter SD's.

 

[lwooters]

Do the majority of plants that I look at require gravel/soil substrate? Do bulbs require this?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

there is some that dont but a lot have roots and need to be planted. 2-3 inch of gravel or sand is best. i have used reg gravel and sand and had great growth. there is gravel made for plants but its not a must.

http://www.aquahobby.com/e_garden.php

 

[lwooters]

Thanks so much for that link. I think I've got a pretty healthy list of plants that don't require gravel. If it goes well, hopefully I'll be posting pictures!

 

[Marinemom]

Silver dollars will eat anything that even closely resembles a plant. They are like a lawn mower service that you did not contract with. The only plants that will survive in a tank with the silver dollars are the plastic kind.

Marinemom

 

[fishcatch22]

Silver dollars will eat anything that even closely resembles a plant. They are like a lawn mower service that you did not contract with. The only plants that will survive in a tank with the silver dollars are the plastic kind.

Marinemom

ditto from me. they are basically herbivorous piranhas and will eat all plant life with all the vigor their carnivorous relatives do. some sharks also like the taste of plants.

FYI most mid water swimming streamlined sharks like balas and apollos will quickly outgrow a 55G and you should return them.

 

[lwooters]

I've been keeping my eye out for a larger tank for that reason. I also have some other large fish in there. My silver dollar is the size of the palm of my hand and I have probably 2 other palm sized fish. Right now everyone still seems happy though. Big fish = big poop.