Live plants, cycling, and other questions

[clb2196]

This is a follow-up to my last thread. I have my tank. :dance:

I've decided to do live plants- I've been doing lots of reading and I'm a little overwhelmed!

First of all, I'm going to cycle with SuperBac. I realize that not everyone agrees with that, my my LFS (who has a very good reputation around here) suggests it, and I'd like to be able to ask them for help, and if I'm doing what they recommend, I think that will go smoothly.

So- substrate. I'm thinking a mix of gravel and fluorite. Sound ok? What percentage mixture should I do?

-CO2- what're the best options? I've looked into DIY, but it honestly scares me a little! Also, the CO2 will bring the PH down, right? My PH out of the tap is about 7.6, so that should be a good thing.

-The whole process: add substrate, add water (not full), add dechlorinator, run filter, turn on heater. When can I add plants? If I'm using SuperBac, how soon do I add that (and fish) after the plants?

I realize all this information is out there, but it seems every thing I read has a different opinion, and it's hard to know who to trust!

Oh! The nice thing about the BioCube is that the hood is full sealed. However, the fish can get into the filter. How worried about that should I be, and what can I do to prevent it?

:help:

 

[petluvr]

I have never bothered with any of those "cycle miracle" chemicals but you can put plants in immediately. Good lcuk

 

[clb2196]

I have never bothered with any of those "cycle miracle" chemicals but you can put plants in immediately. Good lcuk

Can I put the plants in first, though? Say if I got everything set up tonight, bought plants tomorrow, and added SuperBac the next day? Or is it better to do it all at once?

 

[petluvr]

I don't know the ends and outs of superbac but I am pretty sure you can do it all in stages if you would like.

 

[coach_z]

you can put everything in all at once or over the course of a few days if you want. just please make sure your tank is fully cycled before you add fish. good luck!

 

[clb2196]

Thanks guys. I also want to add that I was on the fence about GloFish because of the cost, but the tank has some night lighting, and moonlight LEDs, and they'd look so cool in that I think I'll get some.

The CO2... I've heard people on here say they do fine without it, and others say it's absolutely neccesary. There are 2 36 watt lights, so basically 2.5 watts per gallon, besides the night lighting, if that helps.

 

[petluvr]

That's on the pushing it side of needing Co2. Diy is easy (don't worry I thought the same thing that it seemed like to much for me to understand) but it's not.

 

[shawnhu]

If you choose to use the bacteria supplement to boost the business of your LFS, go ahead. You can always buy it, and not use it, it's most likely not beneficial.

If you have enough fish, CO2 is not necessary, unless you are trying to grow plants that require higher lighting, and CO2 for faster, healthier growth. CO2 in many ways, is more stressful when it comes to maintenance, and poses a risk to the fish. I would recommend not going CO2 right away, as it can be an add-on later on. Get the substrate, get the plants, and design your tank. Let it cycle in, and then add the fish. By that time, the plants would have settled in, and would have taken root. Last thing you want is to add plants and re-arrange when there's already fish in there.

There really isn't much to it, get tank, get substrate, fill water, plant plants, add more water, run filters, heaters, etc and let it cycle. There are different ways to cycle, but that's another issue it seems.

 

[milw217]

Good choice on the biocube. I have a 55g planted and just started a 29g biocube reef. If your LFS recommends the superbac then go for it. I generally trust my LFS with products they recommend too.

Sorry I have no answer for you on the fluorite/gravel mixture. Mine is all gravel.

I wouldn't mess with the CO2 at first. I have roughly the same watts per gallon in my 55 and no air stone, no CO2 and all my plants grow excellently, even ones with the reddish tint that require higher lighting.

As far as your order of what to do.....wash the substrate first with tap water. It will help with the cloudiness once you fill the tank up. I'd say fill it about 3/4 of the way with water and get your plants in there and any rocks or decorations you want. Fill it up the rest of the way with water. Fire up the filters and heater. Let it run for a day or two and then begin your fishless cycling. When your nitrates are at 0, the tank is cycled and you can add your fish. Remember to add a few at a time rather than fully stocking it right away to reduce the stress on the fish and to make sure they can all find a place to hide out. I'm not a huge fan of the glowfish because I like a more natural look, but if you like them then go for it.

 

[AshK]

Sorry, I don't trust snake oil as far as I can throw it. Be prepared to do daily water changes. Research about silent cycling. If you get enough plants off the bat and let them settle in for a few days, you can add fish and monitor water parameters like a hawk. Do water changes as necessary, but usually you won't have severe parameter spikes.