Cycling With Live Plants?

[highfire]

Well, I'm extremely excited because after several months of deliberating, I finally took the plunge on New Year's Eve and treated myself to a brand new Fluval Vicenza 260 litre. It is now set up in my lounge, and it looks HUGE!!! I'm just getting used to the size of it, compared to my humble little 60 litre!

Anyway, I filled the tank and started the cycling process on New Year's Day, and yesterday (4th Jan) I put in six new live plants. I should have thought about this before, but does the ammonia I have added do anything to the plants? Will they be OK?
Thanks!

 

[Dave Spencer]

Plants should be unaffected by the cycling as they will use up the Ammonia. My new tank was heavily planted from the outset and never actually went through a cycle because the plants are effectively producing the majority of the filtration.

 

[Soho]

Plants should be unaffected by the cycling as they will use up the Ammonia. My new tank was heavily planted from the outset and never actually went through a cycle because the plants are effectively producing the majority of the filtration.

Which means, if you plant heavily, you can add couple of fish from the start and they will do just fine.

 

[highfire]

Thanks for replying to my query, both! Much appreciated!

 

[Dave Spencer]

Plants should be unaffected by the cycling as they will use up the Ammonia. My new tank was heavily planted from the outset and never actually went through a cycle because the plants are effectively producing the majority of the filtration.

Which means, if you plant heavily, you can add couple of fish from the start and they will do just fine.

Due to my inexperience in the hobby I couldn`t possibly advocate adding fish early. All I know is that I set up a high tech tank that was heavily planted and, due to my newbie impatience ,I started stocking slowly after one week of zero Ammonia and nitrite readings . My first fish were Otos, which I believe are known to be a bit delicate. Nevertheless, they were happy from day one and are thriving, as are all my shrimps, which are another delicate species. Ever since, all my ammonia and nitrite readings have been zero, and I test religiously for all parameters.

People such as George Farmer and Tom Barr would be able to give you a more definitive answer regarding high tech planted tanks and cycling over on the planted tanks forum, if that is what you are interested in.

Hope this helps.

 

[rockerBOO]

If you do a fishless cycle, and add in ammonia, you should be able to add plants safely after a week, though sooner should not be to much of an issue. Fish I would not recommend even if you have plants in there, because the plants will not fully be able to compensate with all the waste, and you will still have flucuations with Ammonia and Nitrites.

 

[Dave Spencer]

If you have a large, flourishing biomass then the plants should be able to take care of Ammonia and nitrates no problem. My tank did not cycle.

If your set up is low tech then it would be preferable for your filter to mature and take up the Ammonia and nitrie load. However, a small number of plants from day one should be no problem, but you will have to cycle your tank.

Dave.

 

[@ombomb]

I completely agree with Dave, it can be done, but by someone experienced with a set-up which encourages strong plant growth (CO² / strong lighting / ferts etc) and a heavily planted tank.