I have a 10 gallon tank that has a few plants in it but I want to start cycling my new 29 gal tank (the objective is at the end the 10 gal is empty and the 29 gal has all the stuff from the 10 gal.) I am in no rush because the 10 gal is really healthy. I put the water in last night with some stress coat and hooked up my bio wheels and a Magnum 350 canister (I know overkill but my girlfriend surprised me) I wanted to know when I could add the plants. I thought it would be a good idea to add them before the fish to help make the water healthier and to allow the roots to grow better. I have a 25 watt hood with a coral life full spectrum light. My question is can I add the plants in today or tomorrow? Also after I put them in I was just going to use the c02 tablets until I can get an injector or make the DIY one. Thanks for the help.
Plants in new tank
- Thread starter swampfox25
- Start date
With that low light, you might not want to add CO2. The light level won't support fast growing plants, and regular water changes, along with fertilization with a product like flourish, should provide ample nutrients for your plants.
You'll want to stick with low light plants like anubias, crypts, java moss/fern, or floating plants (which don't require CO2 in the water at all).
Within those bounds, I am all in favor of adding and establishing plants before adding fish. Make sure to fertilize with an appropriate nitrogen source while there are not fish in there.
You'll want to stick with low light plants like anubias, crypts, java moss/fern, or floating plants (which don't require CO2 in the water at all).
Within those bounds, I am all in favor of adding and establishing plants before adding fish. Make sure to fertilize with an appropriate nitrogen source while there are not fish in there.
OK thanks. In time I am going to get a stronger dual light bar. So there is nothing I have to test before puting the plants into the new aquarium correct? I know I will need at least fertilizer so the plants will have something to eat LOL. Thanks
Some plants react badly to sudden changes, so while I wouldn't worry about testing, I would make sure to acclimate them as you would a fish--add a cup of your water to their bag every 10 minutes for half an hour, then put them in. All the plants I mentioned but the crypts don't need planting, just attach them to a rock or wood. Avoid the higher light plants until you get the upgrade--easier than getting them back in shape aftet they've struggled. Rotala indica should work for you as well--it's a bunch plant.
Plants make the "cycling" process easier, so plant now. But hold back on fertilizer for the first month or so, while plants adjust. Fertilizer doesn't make plants grow-- ad copy to the contrary notwithstanding. Growing plants eventually deplete nutrients, which you replace. Fish, fishfood and water changes often are all that's required.
Notice how many people post with algae problems-- and they are still fertilizing at some steady rate.
If you can take a flat-sided deli container and scrape off the very topmost half-inch of gravel, without disturbing the under layers, and sprinkle it with thje "dirt" you've collected too, all over your new tank, you'll "seed" the nitrogen-respiring bacteria you need.
Any way to mix together some filter media?
Notice how many people post with algae problems-- and they are still fertilizing at some steady rate.
If you can take a flat-sided deli container and scrape off the very topmost half-inch of gravel, without disturbing the under layers, and sprinkle it with thje "dirt" you've collected too, all over your new tank, you'll "seed" the nitrogen-respiring bacteria you need.
Any way to mix together some filter media?
I was just suggesting to feed the plants until the fish were added--need to be more specific. Without a nitrogen source (normally from the fish), they could suffer. But, wetmanNY knows much more than me! Would there by a timeline for having plants in a fishless tank before problems cropped up?