View Full Version : Plants vs. Cycling
CaitxSith
09-25-2008, 9:34 PM
I've heard that plants make cycling longer (with the absorption of Nitrates - no way to tell when finished).
True? False?
jmhart
09-25-2008, 9:47 PM
Plants actually reduce the amount of time needed to cycle a tank.
While it's true that plants do absorb nitrates, unless you have a high tech tank with a lot of plants, nitrates won't become undectable.
CaitxSith
09-25-2008, 11:48 PM
Plants actually reduce the amount of time needed to cycle a tank.
While it's true that plants do absorb nitrates, unless you have a high tech tank with a lot of plants, nitrates won't become undectable.
Plants reduce the time?
I don't get the process... Why is this? :confused:
qwik48
09-26-2008, 12:15 AM
ammonia and nitrite are fertilizers........................
jmhart
09-26-2008, 2:00 AM
Completing the nitrogen cycle is primarily of concern as it applies to fish. The idea is that ammonia at low levels, and nitrite at any level, is extremely hazardous to fish.
Plants utilize ammonia and nitrate as nutrients, and absorb nitrite out the water.
Point is, ammonia and nitrite are removed by plants, therefore speeding up the time period required before fish can be safely introduced into the aquarium.
J double R
09-26-2008, 9:33 AM
the cycle is sped up.. plants just make it less blatantly visible via water tests. :)
Blueiz
09-26-2008, 9:40 AM
Plants use the fish waste as fertilizer, therefore you silently cycle your tank. The key to making sure this happens and goes well is to slowly stock your tank while monitoring water parameters.
MrGoodbytes
09-26-2008, 9:40 AM
Plants also add more surface area for bacteria to grow on :).
Squawkbert
09-26-2008, 10:17 AM
... If you use enough plants (lots of them) initially, they will absorb enough NH3 and NO2 to keep them from harming a modest fishy bioload while your bacterial colonies get established. It will still take at least a couple of weeks for them to get established and if you have some plant blight ("I had no idea the goldfish would eat Elodea...") before the bacteria are established, you will see a NO2 spike that can cause problems if left unattended.
CaitxSith
09-27-2008, 6:03 PM
... If you use enough plants (lots of them) initially, they will absorb enough NH3 and NO2 to keep them from harming a modest fishy bioload while your bacterial colonies get established. It will still take at least a couple of weeks for them to get established and if you have some plant blight ("I had no idea the goldfish would eat Elodea...") before the bacteria are established, you will see a NO2 spike that can cause problems if left unattended.
Wow...
So, in a way, by adding a huge amount of plants right at the start, fishy cycling isn't as harmful as it is without the plants?
...not that I'm planning on it. I'd much rather fish-less, as it just seems more convenient to me.
...wow, that's... crazy.
phanmc
09-27-2008, 8:14 PM
I haven't cycled a tank since I started with plants. Add lots of fast growing plants, wait a week to see if they grow, then add your fish load. A fully stocked tank in a week.
Fordtrannyman
09-28-2008, 1:41 AM
Wow...
So, in a way, by adding a huge amount of plants right at the start, fishy cycling isn't as harmful as it is without the plants?
...not that I'm planning on it. I'd much rather fish-less, as it just seems more convenient to me.
...wow, that's... crazy.
Yep, it's true. Some consider it natural cycling. If you include a sock of nasty mulm or established filter media, the tank is fish safe in 3-7 days.
jaylin
09-28-2008, 12:00 PM
Often times, you'll bring in good bacteria with the plants as well.