setting up a 55 gallon
- Thread starter sloshy
- Start date
First, as the owner of a planted 55 gal, if you have not already bought the tank, buy a different size. 55 gal tanks are shaped terribly for plants. A 75 would be better--you will really appreciate the extra depth.
At first I was going to say: I would cycle with the plants in there. First, any detritus or dead leaves coming in with the plants will get it started. Second, the plants use ammonia and nitrite, so they will be an integral part of your biological filter. With my tank I put the plants in and a week later added some fish. Never testing for ammonia or nitrites. You shouldn't do it exactly that way though.
But now I am wondering. What have other people done? I am fishlessly cycling a non-planted tank right now. In a planted tank would you plant, then add ammonia? With the lighting necessary for plants you could have a huge algae bloom. Should you fishlessly cycle then add plants?
As for vacuuming, you don't want to do it a lot or too deep because of plant roots. You should be fine with that gravel, and just vacuum the surface lightly.
At first I was going to say: I would cycle with the plants in there. First, any detritus or dead leaves coming in with the plants will get it started. Second, the plants use ammonia and nitrite, so they will be an integral part of your biological filter. With my tank I put the plants in and a week later added some fish. Never testing for ammonia or nitrites. You shouldn't do it exactly that way though.
But now I am wondering. What have other people done? I am fishlessly cycling a non-planted tank right now. In a planted tank would you plant, then add ammonia? With the lighting necessary for plants you could have a huge algae bloom. Should you fishlessly cycle then add plants?
As for vacuuming, you don't want to do it a lot or too deep because of plant roots. You should be fine with that gravel, and just vacuum the surface lightly.