Plants and the Cycle

A

Analog Saint

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Aug 25, 2004
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Washington, DC
I have a 25 gallon planted that finished cycling four days ago. After my midterms in organic chem and genetics, I basically have a free day, and a 20% off coupon for a good LFS. I'd like to plant my tank a week before I stock, but I have a couple questions, but first- the goods: 25g Sea Clear with Eclipse 2 hood with 2x15 watt lights. Rena Cal Accel 150 watt heater. Schultz Aqua-soil pond soil substrate.

If ammonia at 5ppm is not harmful to the plants (anubias barteri, java moss, java fern, some swords maybe) I'd like to keep plants in for a week before I stock. If this is not a viable option, I can plant and stock in the same day.

What is reccomended for when you're planting a tank in the cycle- wait till the absolute end, or put them in a bit ahead of the fish? Are there better bulbs out there than the ones that came standard in the eclipse 2- is it worthwhile to upgrade?

All suggestions appreciated!
 
Essentially the danger in planting early lies with algea. Ammonia is plant and algea food, if you add plants to a tank with 5 ppm ammonia, the plants will love it but so will the algea that comes with the plants and it will grow at an accellerated pace. You would be far better off to do a big water change and get levels down to unreadable (i.e. 0ppm) then plant your plants. Add a little fish food to maintain the cycle if you want to wait on your fish. as soon as the plants get going good (2 days -1 week depending on everything) then stock the tank. You can work with different schedules, you can plant and stock simultaneously if you want. the big danger is high ammonia levels and plants because of the algea growth.
Dave
 
Thanks for the input! I think I'll do the simultaneous plant and stock after the massive water change and a test of parameters. I can acclimate the fish while I arrange the tank, and then be able to sit back and enjoy the satisfaction of finally seeing the end of the fishless cycle.

I think harlequin rasboras, black neons, and some kribs will be a lot more fun than watching tablespoons of ammonia in solution. Thanks to everybody at AC for all the help.
 
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