Beginner Plants? Cycling?

[kriquette317]

Hello all,
I would like to know what you would recommend for an absolute beginner. I probably won't go high tech or anything like that, but would some that I can't kill(without trying), and hopefully some fast growers. I have a 75 gallon I just bought yesterday. Do I need to cycle it before putting plants in it (like you do with fish)? Or should I cycle it, put fish in, then start adding plants? Also it came with a 36" fluorescent strip light. Do plants need something bigger than this, or will it be okay? (I am considering replacing it anyway for looks)
Thanks!

 

[hernandez.j91]

Hornwort is a nice looking plant. Easy to grow and very fast growing. Don't need to cycle it before adding plants as the plants help cycle the tank before adding fish.

 

[Bgolfer88]

You will have no nitrates in your tank so I personally would wait to cycle before adding plants, this is why algae doesn't start growing right away. API Start Right worked pretty well for me but you still need to expect a small NH3/NO2 spike in the first week. Get it going, add the bac supplement, throw like 10 goldfish in there for the first week. Take goldfish back to store/get water tested. If you still just have a little nh3 and or no2 do a good water change and hit with Prime (by Seachem, BEST water conditioner on earth, removes chlorine, chloramine, detoxifies nh3/no2). Wait 12hrs to let any nh3/no2 be removed by your biological filter and start to add your fish/plants as slowly. If you go for a new light go compact flo or t5, your plants will love it! thx.

Blake
C&P Pets
Christiansburg, VA

 

[ROYWS3]

You do not need to cycle a planted tank. I would be a good idea if you used a plant specific substrate. Add a lot of fast growers with a little liquid (or dry) ferts a few times a week. Fast growing plants out-compete algae for nutrients. You can start adding fish (slowly) as soon as your plants are settled in (a few days or so). You're going to get a ton of opinions on lighting, but one thing is for sure, you are definitely going to need to upgrade beyond that 3 foot fixture you have now (which probably has only a 2 foot lamp in it). There are tons of excellent 4 foot lighting options on the market right now.

ROY