Cycling My New Tank-the Beginning

[itsmedeanna64]

Good afternoon!

I set up my new 55 gal this weekend. I have nothing in it but my gravel and one large plastic pottery pots decoration. I also have a air stone running besides my filter. I have the temp at 85 and last night I added enough bottled ammonia to get a 4.0 reading. I tested it this morning and it is still 4.0 with a ph at 7.0. I really would like to put alot of live plants in and would like some suggestions for easy care plants since I've never had plants before. When I start getting the plants, I can put them in immediately, right? Does anybody have an idea on app. how long this cycle will take? Now, I wait till my ammonia gets to what reading before I add more? Thanks!

 

[tttnjfttt]

As for plants, you need to look for low light plants. I'm assuming you've bought a 55 gal kit, and most of the kits don't have strong enough lighting for anything over the low light plants. Also, be sure to lower the temperature before adding plants.

The cycle can take up to 4 weeks. Try to get some filtered media from a friend's tank, or some gravel, this will help speed up the cycle.

 

[rdd1952]

Aquariumplants is a good, inexpensive source for plants. I have bought from them twice and was very happy with the plants on both occasions.

Live Aquaria has pretty good info on a lot of plants.

PlantGeek is another good source of info.

 

[itsmedeanna64]

Thanks for reminding me....I will reduce the temp before adding plants. The fishless cycling instructs say to up the temp when cycling so that's why I have it so high right now. I have some java moss and anacharis ordered...hope they are low light plants. It said they were...... Thant's what I was looking for anyway!

I also did put some water from my other tank in this one...about 5 gal of it. It's a 29 gal that I cycled with fish flakes so that's why all the apprehension about cycling with the ammonia. Didn't want to do fish flakes again as the stats were all over the place for a while.

Thanks for your reply! I have never failed to get good advice here!!

 

[tttnjfttt]

Adding the water from your established tank won't help, as the bacteria don't live in the water, they live in the filter and on the substrate. to speed things up, take your spounge and shake it out in the new tank, this should help seed the new fitler.

also, the java moss is a low light plant, The anacharis needs a little more light, how many watts are your light(s)?

 

[itsmedeanna64]

Ok, I added the filter media from my 29 gal. I took it and squeezed it out in to my 55's filter and I swished it around in the tank. I hope that was ok..... Geez, I thought the 29 gal tank water would do it....what would I do without this board??

Thanks for telling me this!

RDD, thanks for those links. I am going to put in my order at Aquariumplants.com for some low light beginner plants....after Amercian Idol is over! I am going to look into getting some better bulbs too. What a great website!

 

[rdd1952]

You can safely add the plants without lowering the temp from where you have it. I cycled my 75 gallon at about 86F and all teh plants were in it from day 1 and they did fine. Of course, if you wait till after they cycle is finished you'll be lowering the temp anyway.

If you plan to upgrade your lighting, Hellolights is the cheapest place I've found online.