How do i fishless cycle a planted tank??

[PattyCakes81]

Hi,

If I am going to do a planted tank on 20 gallon high tank with fishless cycling, adding the plants first. Doesn't the ammonia kill the plants?

or

If I go fish in cycle with plants, does having the plants protect the fish from the high amount of ammonia?

:help::help:
Patty

 

[Khemul]

Quite the opposite. The ammonia will feed the plants (assuming you are using enough to do a fishless cycle at least). :thm:


With a fish-in cycle and plants it all depends on the amount of plants, the speed of growth, and the health of the plants. With a bunch of healthy rapid growers you may not even have a cycle. With a few Java Fern or Anubias you'd still have a cycle with fish in there.

The same goes for fishless cycling with plants. The more they eat the more often you'll have to add ammonia to keep the levels up for the bacteria to grow. You end up doing the fishless cycle to the same way, but you have to watch it more closely to make sure the plants don't drop you to 0ppm and stall the process.

 

[jpappy789]

For a fish-in cycle, the plants will be a safety net...however still be cautious about ammonia/nitrite. Don't go overboard with the initial stocking.

For a fishless cycle, yes the plants will consume the nitrogen...however I highly doubt you will run into a stalled cycle if you are making sure there is still some excess for the bacteria.

In both situations just cycle like you would normally.

 

[PattyCakes81]

Thanks khemul and jpappy for all your pointers!! I will certainly keep those in mind when setting up my tank!! :thm:

 

[discuspaul]

For a fish-in cycle, the plants will be a safety net...however still be cautious about ammonia/nitrite. Don't go overboard with the initial stocking.

For a fishless cycle, yes the plants will consume the nitrogen...however I highly doubt you will run into a stalled cycle if you are making sure there is still some excess for the bacteria.

In both situations just cycle like you would normally.

Fully agree with jpappy's comments.
If you do the fish-in cycle, do as jpappy says, and when you're testing for ammonia & nitrites, (do it daily for the first while) if there is more than minute amounts of either, above .25-.50, just do a wc to bring them down to less toxic levels.

 

[PattyCakes81]

Fully agree with jpappy's comments.
If you do the fish-in cycle, do as jpappy says, and when you're testing for ammonia & nitrites, (do it daily for the first while) if there is more than minute amounts of either, above .25-.50, just do a wc to bring them down to less toxic levels.

Thanks emile!! If it is like you guys say about "safety net" what fishes do I start with from my list??

So I want overload the bioload all at once!! I know danios are usually use for cycling but is the Pearl Danio as hardy as regular danios?

 

[jbradt]

None of those critters will do well with ammonia in the water. IMO, you should do a fishless cycle rather than risking any of them. Also, IMO; your stock level is too much for a 20 gallon.

 

[homedog98]

Plants are fine with pure ammonia. As long as there's no surfactants or scents, the plants will be fed by the ammonia.

 

[PattyCakes81]

None of those critters will do well with ammonia in the water. IMO, you should do a fishless cycle rather than risking any of them. Also, IMO; your stock level is too much for a 20 gallon.

Thanks jbradt!! I guess I'll go with a fishless cycle. I don't want to hurt my fish. How about if i remove the tetras?

Plants are fine with pure ammonia. As long as there's no surfactants or scents, the plants will be fed by the ammonia.

Thanks homedog!! Since the plants will absorbs some of the nitrogen, should I dose more than the recommended 5ppm of pure ammonia. So the plants and bacteria have enough?

 

[homedog98]

No, 5 ppm should be plenty. I always recommend 4. Even for planted tanks.