Can I Add Plants To A Cycling Tank?

[Phishy25]

Hi! I have a 260 litre tank which I am currently fishless cycling (just started this weekend). Can I add plants at this stage? I thought it might be an advantage to add plants now, so they are well rooted in a months time. I have silica sand substrate, and the tank was supplied with a 30w daylight blub and a 30w moonlight (blue) bulb. Is this lighting sufficient? Or should I change the moonlight to a daylight? They are both wired to the same plug. What I mean is they both go on/off at the same time.
Also, which plants would you recommend for a new tank?

Many thanks

 

[sophos9]

Yea you can add plants, they will help with the cycling process!

 

[JamesC]

I would say not to add plants until cycling has finished. You need to fishless cycle with the lights turned off as ammonia + light is a recipe for algae. Also if you have plants they will use the ammonia defeating the object of fishless cycling anyway.

You don't need to fishless cycle if you have a planted tank as plants will use the ammonia produced by the fish. Just don't rush things too fast.

James