Getting ready to cycle - Plants before or after?

Soulcoffr

Soulcoffr

Casiotone Nation
Jan 9, 2004
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Now that I've gotten everything I need to get my 29g tank up and running with a fishless cycle, I'm at a crossroads. Should I plant the tank right away and cycle that way or should I leave them out until I'm finished with the cycle.

I've heard that the plants can absorb the nitrogen compounds and skew readings on cycle progress. Is this a problem or is it easily dealt with?

This is my first planted tank, and I want to do it right. (Real plants! W00t!)

Thanks!
 
Plants can act as the biological filtration, with enough plants why cycle your tank at all? I haven't cycled my tank ever since I got heavily involved with planted tanks. Why wait for a month for the tank to cycle when you can just wait a few days to ensure the plants are healthy?

Plant heavily from the start. This not only ensures enough biological filtration, it also helps prevent algae.

Again, give the plants a few days to see if they're growing and not dying. Once you see growth, add your fish.
 
i agree.. plants first. no reason not to, since cycling wont hurt the plants anyway.
 
So I plant heavily, then start dosing with ammonia and look for growth?

I like the idea of starting out with a large nitrogen sink to begin with.
 
Plant heavily, provide the plants with the necessary nutrients (macros & micros), look for healthy growth, then add fish.

Ammonia will account for the nitrogen, you should also consider potassium and phosphate and trace minerals for the micro nutrients. If it's a low light setup, a bottle of Flourish Comprehensive fert should be enough to cover your needs.
 
I have a 65W Coralife on top of this 29g. Would it be better to use Flourish Excel? I don't really want to get into CO2 production if I can help it. I'm planning to stock with lower light plants that grow slow like anubias, java fern, anacharis and the like.
 
Is the 65w a standard fluorescent or compact fluorescent? If it's compact fluorescent then I highly suggest you dose either Excel or CO2, preferably CO2 using something like the Nutrafin CO2 system or your own DIY yeast system:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=8981&N=2004+113779

If it's a standard fluorescent you may be able to get by without CO2 though CO2 or Excel will help alot, just remember to plant heavily.
 
plus plants also have beneficial bacteria that can help seed the tank.
 
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