Can They Make It?

[Rlon35]

I have a planted 55g tank that includes 2 silver dollars (large), 1 bala (getting large), 1 rainbow shark, 2 clown loaches, 2 german rams, 13 black neons, a gold nugget plec, snails, and a few otos. Plants that have not lasted include melon swords and any other kind of sword (the melons are not supposedly eaten, but they are eaten quickly in my tank!). Successful plants/moss/algae have included java fern, java lace, anubias nana, anubias coffeelia, the more standard onion plants (other onions don't seem to do so well), anacharis, and moss balls. Anubias coffeelia are beautiful (my favorite), by the way.

At any rate, I added a rock covered in Cuban baby tears, and now I can see parts of the rock. What's the under/over on how long this beautiful item will last? It's been in the tank for three days now. Any chance it grows fast enough that the rock will stay covered in the tears over the long term?
I don't mind giving my children (fish) expensive meals, but I am learning as I go. Growing plants is better than having fish, well, maybe it's neck and neck. Need to upgrade my lighting before I give the final verdict on that.

 

[piper]

Its most likely the silver dollars that are causing you the problem. Why don't you sell them and get some more Bala sharks (although they really need a 100-150G tank).

 

[Rlon35]

Its most likely the silver dollars that are causing you the problem. Why don't you sell them and get some more Bala sharks (although they really need a 100-150G tank).

It IS definitely mostly the dollars. Other fish just nip at plants in passing, while the dollars almost look like piranhas eating meat when they eat vegetation. I have thought about selling/giving away those fish, along with the bala. I feel bad for the bala already, as he seems to have outgrown the tank. The melon swords wree definitely meaten by the SDs, as I think they would have lasted with my other fish.

 

[piper]

Why dont you get rid of the SDs. Its either them or the plants. The only plants you might be alright with are Java fern and Anubias.

 

[Rlon35]

Why dont you get rid of the SDs. Its either them or the plants. The only plants you might be alright with are Java fern and Anubias. ^^^^^^^^

Well, the onions do rather well too. I was thinking about getting some valisneria gigantea, putting it on the right side of the tank and getting it to drape all the way over along to the left, with the current. But yes, you are right on about the SDs. I never realized that I'd be so into plants. I figured that I would not mind giving them some extra food, but as soon as I saw plants in the tank, I wanted to plant more and more. This is such a great hobby. Never tried before, but does a LFS typically accept swaps for younger fish with well grown ones, as I could pick up some more rams and an otto or two for the tank?!?! Then I could upgrade my lighting, when I figure that problem out once and for all. At any rate, thanks for your feedback piper.

 

[piper]

Not a problem mate, I know how annoying it can be when you know you have possibly made a mistake getting a certain fish. Returns vary on a shop per shop bases. I would just give them a ring and explain your situation, but I doubt you will be able to swap them. Might get a very small amount of store credit but thats about it.