That's interesting to know. I was told that nitrite is not really an issue until the 1st stage of cycling is complete, that is, when ammonia goes down to Zero.
Newbies: Starting a tank? Plants actually help!
- Thread starter Ms.Bubbles
- Start date
Both ammonia and nitrites are extremely toxic to fish. ANY amount is unsafe for them. Just because the fish are not showing stress, does not mean they are not being harmed by it.
I think we may have gone a little off topic here, so I'll go back to my original point...
I want to let other newbies know (if they don't already) that putting a lot of fast-growing plants into a new, uncycled tank that contains fish can really help keep the ammonia down, to the point where, with weekly water changes, it barely registers at all!
If plants can do this with ammonia, imagine what they can do with nitrites & nitrates
...
I want to let other newbies know (if they don't already) that putting a lot of fast-growing plants into a new, uncycled tank that contains fish can really help keep the ammonia down, to the point where, with weekly water changes, it barely registers at all!
If plants can do this with ammonia, imagine what they can do with nitrites & nitrates
...
Last edited:
To the best of my knowledge plants take up very little if any nitrites. Since they do take up ammonia, and you still have detectable levels, it is somewhat likely that nitrites are slowly building in your tank, if they aren't now then they definately will be. Plants do consume nitrates, so unless you are dosing nitrogen you probably won't see a lot of nitrate. Either way Testing is a must, nitrites can build rather quickly and as stated are very toxic.
Plant cycling or silent cycling is used by many. The key for newbies lies in the knowledge and experience it takes to keep healthy plants. Without adequate light and or ferts, plants can compound problems more than they help. in your case, the plants are helpful, and in the case of anyone with some plant knowledge and experience plant cycleing is a great method. However it can be disaterous for many newbies who don't yet know which plants are ideal for the job, or how to keep those plants healthy.
A properly run plant cycle should show no signs of ammonia whatsoever. The concept is to use the plants to uptake the ammonia and protect your fish. the bacteria will still estabilish in small numbers, but they do not require detectable amounts of ammonia to do this. If you should decide later to remove plants or reduce plant mass you will want to do this very slowly to prevent a mini-cycle.
Given the correct types of plants, adequate light and balaced ferts, Plant cycling is great. It is not something I would necessarily reccomend to newbies with little or no experience.
Dave
TheMightyQueenPixie
Best Invention EVER!
I dont want new people too assume that using plants in an uncycled tank is the silver bullet...No sign of nitrites can me 2 things, unfortunately if you have not tested for nitRATE you cannot get the full picture
Scenario 1) No nitirtes have developed because the plants are using almost all the ammonia for themselves...This could significantly prolong your cycling.
You should of had some nitrites present by now...
Scenario 2) You may have a cycled tank and their are NitrATES present, that are converting toxic nitrITE to a safer form. Unless you test, you wont know...Plants do little to lower nitrite/nitrates if anything at all, so i tend to go with scenario one, your tank has not yet started to cycle...
What this means is, you must be extremely cautious with adding any stock...Without the nitrates present, it could cause a viscious ammo spike and kill your tank off...If you do go to add more, do so slowly...Perhaps one fish every 10 days or so until the nitrites/nitates start to take hold.
Listen to daveedka..He has given you alot of good advice that hopefully yourself and others can use.
Scenario 1) No nitirtes have developed because the plants are using almost all the ammonia for themselves...This could significantly prolong your cycling.
You should of had some nitrites present by now...
Scenario 2) You may have a cycled tank and their are NitrATES present, that are converting toxic nitrITE to a safer form. Unless you test, you wont know...Plants do little to lower nitrite/nitrates if anything at all, so i tend to go with scenario one, your tank has not yet started to cycle...
What this means is, you must be extremely cautious with adding any stock...Without the nitrates present, it could cause a viscious ammo spike and kill your tank off...If you do go to add more, do so slowly...Perhaps one fish every 10 days or so until the nitrites/nitates start to take hold.
Listen to daveedka..He has given you alot of good advice that hopefully yourself and others can use.
Actually the cylce speed will be the same unless every single bit of available ammonia is being used. this would be extremely uncommon (I think impossible) the bacteria always estabilish at roughly the same rate. Ammonia levels only dictate the size of the end result colony. So my guess is the cycle is moving along as fast as it ever does.
In my mind this would be the likely scenario. Plant do in fact uptake Nitrates, buit as I understand it they do not uptake nitrites. Depending on how much ammonia was converted, nitrites may or may not be detectable, and may or may not have already been processed to nitrates.
Bingo on this quote. It can't be said enough. Essentially your situation is good, but there is a big potential for disaster. Add stock slowly, keep your plant mass high, and keep your plants healthy. If you take care of your plants they will in turn take care of your fish. If you plants start struggling right now, your fish will suffer the consequences.
And BTW anachris is about as good as any plant there is for plant cycling. It hogs nitrogen, it is not picky about other nutrients, and it grows rapidly in most light conditions. it will grow rooted or floating, and can be split at any point and continue to thrive. It is good that you happened to use this plant in your efforts, having the right plant can make or break a plant cycle.
Dave
It's great to know that plants can help to keep ammonia spikes down during the early stages of a new tank's cycling process (no mention of silver bullets by me)...even better that they also take up nitrates later in the cycle too!
I agree that anacharis is an easy plant to start with. I have no experience with aquarium plants, yet this stuff is growing fast & doesn't mind being pruned, moved, floated, whatever.
I'm assuming that my tank has not yet cycled, due to the presence of ammonia. I plan to keep my eye on the levels while doing 25% water changes weekly. I'm just glad the plants are there to help while the tank does its thing...
I agree that anacharis is an easy plant to start with. I have no experience with aquarium plants, yet this stuff is growing fast & doesn't mind being pruned, moved, floated, whatever.
I'm assuming that my tank has not yet cycled, due to the presence of ammonia. I plan to keep my eye on the levels while doing 25% water changes weekly. I'm just glad the plants are there to help while the tank does its thing...
im thinking of adding live plants instead of using my fakers.
but im curious tho, my nitrate/nitrite is 0 and PH is 7.5 . but my amnonia level is very high.
is there a reason why amnonia is high while the others are low? so if i add live plants will that decrease my amnonia while keeping my nitrate/nitrite levels close to 0??
please help!! thanks! :dive:
but im curious tho, my nitrate/nitrite is 0 and PH is 7.5 . but my amnonia level is very high.
is there a reason why amnonia is high while the others are low? so if i add live plants will that decrease my amnonia while keeping my nitrate/nitrite levels close to 0??
please help!! thanks! :dive:
