cycling using plants

[maui]

So i posted yesterday asking about how i should cycle my new tanks (fishless or not) and i think now i've come to a conclusion: i am going to cycle my tanks using plants as outlined on this web site: http/www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_newtank.htm
Now im just wondering if any of you folks have given this a shot and if so how did it go?
Im so neverous and excited about this project (so much so that i wake up in the middle of the night wondering how everything is gonna work)
Any suggestions/info would be so great! Thanks in advance.

 

[Yeaulman]

Boy are you in luck I just set up my 48 gallon tank a week and a half ago and got new plants from the store. I just put them in the dechlorinated water and added a double dose of cycle to help get the right bacteria going. I also took a filter sponge from my other tank and put it inside my canister filter to get some more bacteria growing faster.

Lemme know if you need anything else

 

[Bangin]

Don't be nervous; it really works.

I haven't followed Chuck's page step by step, but with high light and CO2 there should be no problem.

 

[maui]

excellent!
thanks for the replies guys
i will be setting up two 15 gal tanks as well as one 25 gal tank and i'm planning on constructing a DIY CO2 injector of each tank.
How many plants should i use (approx) for each tank?
Im sure it depends on the types of plants but i'm just looking for a rough idea so that i know how many to buy.
i'm not able to get my hands on any material from an established tank and i'm ultra nervous bout using any from the lfs.
i will pick up some cycle to add when i add the plants as well

Yeaulman
what sort of cannister filter are you using? I picked up a magnum 350 from a friend for really cheap and plan on modifying it so that i can use it for both my tanks (each 15 gal). I realize that its totally overkill but the price was right anyways im curious to know if i well be able to generate enough good bateria with out using a bio-weel... im a little confused as to what the function of the bio-weel is.

 

[Yeaulman]

I bought myself a fluval 304 for real cheap from www.bigalsonline.com The bio wheel just has a wheel that the bacteria grow upon and then it circulates with the oxygen in air. This is supposed to have great numbers of bacteria growing compared to other filters. I still like my canister filter

 

[maui]

ah i see i see, alright, i guess its more of an extra, not required.
i was also looking in to getting a fluval at the start, but then the deal on the magnum 350 came along and i couldnt pass it up.
i still need to modify it to suit my needs, thats gonna be the tricky part.