I just about have everything i need to get my new 55g tank up and running. I have spent ALOT more money then i expected (close to $700). I want to wait a few weeks to save up some more money before i buy all of my plants, will it be okay to start the cycling process without them? I wish i had waited to start this tank till i was done with college! lol Thanks -Derek
Should i do a fishless cycle before i buy plants?
- Thread starter Derekj03
- Start date
yes, the plants will take up ammonia leading to a smaller bacterial colony than you would normally have. also, plants need light, but if you leave the lights on during a fishless cycle, you'l have a major algae outbreak. algae eats ammonia too.
A densely planted tank does not need cycling. The whole point is for the plants to take up the ammonia and to fight algae. If the plants are healthy and taking up ammonia, who cares if there are any filter bacteria? If it is done properly, one can plant a tank and just add fish without the fuss of cycling.
Unless you plan on doing a heavily planted tank using fast-growing plants, do yourself a favour and cycle the tank first, then add the plants after the cycle is over.
Adding plants to a cycling tank just complicates (and often lengthens) the cycling process because the plants consume the ammonia that your filter needs to build a good bacteria colony.
Adding plants to a cycling tank just complicates (and often lengthens) the cycling process because the plants consume the ammonia that your filter needs to build a good bacteria colony.
RustyRay said:
I agree. You can buy your plants one day and arrange them all in the tank, then buy your fish the next day without a problem. But this works best with lots of plants, especially since it's a fairly big tank. If you're still nervous about it, just buy your hardiest fish first. (wait a few months before getting anything very delicate like otos, they need a well established tank no matter how it was "cycled")
I will depend on what you intend on as a planted tank, if you are just planning on throwing a few plants in, cycle your tank as you would a normal fish only tank.
However, if you are going to heavily plant, there are a few different sources on how to cycle a planted (heavily aquascaped, not just a few plants) tank. Here is one of them: http://www.rexgrigg.com/./cycle.htm
Now back to your exact question,
However, if you want, you can start the tank cycling (without fish) to get the whole process moving before you get the plants, I would think it would help get the process moving even faster. The sooner the whole thing gets started, the sooner it stabilizes.
Good Luck!
Jen
However, if you are going to heavily plant, there are a few different sources on how to cycle a planted (heavily aquascaped, not just a few plants) tank. Here is one of them: http://www.rexgrigg.com/./cycle.htm
Now back to your exact question,
However, if you want, you can start the tank cycling (without fish) to get the whole process moving before you get the plants, I would think it would help get the process moving even faster. The sooner the whole thing gets started, the sooner it stabilizes.
Good Luck!
Jen