Cycling With Ugf

[Rackie]

Hi folks,

Okay, have just started to get my first Tropical tank all setup (Aquastart 500 - 65litres). Have planted up quite a few hardy plants to get started with and am about to start the fishless cycling. The plants have been in there a couple of days now and I also have a few decorations in the way of a large piece of Mopani wood and a few rocks. The water has been treated with Aquaplus water treatment and that is about it.

What I was curious to know is that with this tank having a UGF will the fishless cycling still work and be as effective or will I only get better results by installing an external (biological) filter. I have read a few topics on this and most tanks that are cycled all refer to having "biological" filters?

I have the API master test kit and also picked up a bottle of Ammonia (Homebase - £1.99) so I am all set to go........

Only my first real post so if I have repeated a previous topic I do apologise in advance

 

[zoekin8yg]

Im not sure about the undergravel filter but I would suggest getting an internal one, to me they seem much better. But someone else might have a totally different idea!

 

[blue_ram]

Hi folks,

Okay, have just started to get my first Tropical tank all setup (Aquastart 500 - 65litres). Have planted up quite a few hardy plants to get started with and am about to start the fishless cycling. The plants have been in there a couple of days now and I also have a few decorations in the way of a large piece of Mopani wood and a few rocks. The water has been treated with Aquaplus water treatment and that is about it.

Fishless cycling isn't very effective with live plants. Infact, depending on the number of live plants, you may not need to cycle the tank. Plants will be competing with the bacteria for ammonia. The net effect is the same: ammonia and nitrite is taken up by the plants. But try cycling anyway. Any excess ammonia not taken up by the plants will be used by the bacteria.

What I was curious to know is that with this tank having a UGF will the fishless cycling still work and be as effective or will I only get better results by installing an external (biological) filter.

Fishless cylcling is independant of type of filter in operation. Infact, it will even work without any filter, although it won't be as effective. In any case, cycling with UGF works quite well. May be better than most powerfilters. But it's not recommended in planted aquariums. The roots tends to grow into the UGF, and restrict water flow. If you're serious about having live plants, think about getting a cannister filter instead.

I have read a few topics on this and most tanks that are cycled all refer to having "biological" filters?

I have the API master test kit and also picked up a bottle of Ammonia (Homebase - £1.99) so I am all set to go........

Only my first real post so if I have repeated a previous topic I do apologise in advance

Biological filter refers to any form of living organism that breaks down harmful substances (e.g. ammonia) into harmless ones. Cycled tanks contain bacteria that does this. In densely planted aquarium, plants act as the primary biological filter, and the aquarium never gets fully cycled. But then again, it doesn't need to.

 

[@ombomb]

Do yourself a favour before you get ito the cycle and ditch the UGF. They're messy, inefficient and not ideal for plants. Much easier to replace it with a decent filter now rather than once the tank is stocked.

Fishless cycling isn't very effective with live plants. Infact, depending on the number of live plants, you may not need to cycle the tank.

This can be done, but only if the tank is HIGHLY planted (over 50% of substrate planted) and plants are kept in optimum conditions (good fert regime, CO², high lighting etc). Not recommended for a beginner!