80 Gallon Planted Freshwater Aquarium - Fishless Cycling - My First Attempt

[plantbrain]

True. But two reasons why I did not try that
1. This was my first attempt for a planted tank. Since I did not have much experience with using only plants as my "filter" did not feel comfortable trying that.
2. I guess I was in a hurry too to complete the nitrogen cycle. Using plants only, would have taken longer than it did for me in this way.

I have 2 more planted tank setups in plan in the next few months. May be then

No, there is no cycle at all, the plants circumvent the cycle almost entirely. Unless the plants stop growing and taking up NH4, there is never any cycling issue with NH4.

So if you are in a rush, add plants!
The cycle is now done!
More fish or loading?
Add more plants.

The best way to start planted tanks is to add as much plant biomass from the start(this also reduces any algae issues). You can also sell plants, can you sell your bacteria?

Marineland and the same folks that sell test kits sure try..........

Search the "silent cycle planted aquariums"

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[fishorama]

Silent cycle is the way to go if at all possible. Low light or high (not too...lol) it works for me too!

 

[ryanmr]

Gorgeous tank...

 

[ryanmr]

gorgeous tank!

 

[Badmoco]

WOW!! Impressive. Whatever you did....it seemed to have worked out just fine. It does seem like it required a lot of effort and care, but the end result paid off. How did you get the plants to look as great as they do? Seems like there's an awful lot...but in a good way. I am aspiring to have a smaller version of a tank like this.

 

[KarlTh]

No, there is no cycle at all, the plants circumvent the cycle almost entirely. Unless the plants stop growing and taking up NH4, there is never any cycling issue with NH4.

So if you are in a rush, add plants!
The cycle is now done!
More fish or loading?
Add more plants.

The best way to start planted tanks is to add as much plant biomass from the start(this also reduces any algae issues). You can also sell plants, can you sell your bacteria?

Marineland and the same folks that sell test kits sure try..........

Search the "silent cycle planted aquariums"

Regards,
Tom Barr

Glad to see you post this. I got flamed to buggery for suggesting it a few months back. One issue is, I think, that the planted tank is seen as the exception rather than the rule, especially, ISTM, in the US.