Fishless Cycle - Week 1

[scubadoo]

I've got a few live plants in the tank at the moment during the fishless cycle, and was thinking of adding some liquid fertilizer to give them a bit of a boost.

Is there any good reason why I shouldn't do this ?

 

[Kentfish]

I've got a few live plants in the tank at the moment during the fishless cycle, and was thinking of adding some liquid fertilizer to give them a bit of a boost.

Is there any good reason why I shouldn't do this ?

You may cause an algae outbreak. How many plants do you have, what is the size of the tank and what are they planted in?

Aware that I am asking too many questions! If I were you I'd leave it for a week or two until filter is more mature.

K.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Plants eat ammonia. When you cycle a planted it tank it should be faster than unplanted since the bacterial colonies will be smaller since there is less ammonia available for them. You don't need to add ferts as a result. Also, the first thing most new plants do is to establish roots before they start growing. The usually dont need much fertilizer to start until they get established.

 

[scubadoo]

Thanks for the replies.

Kentfish
The tank is a Juwel Trigon 190l about 40UK gals or 54US gals.
There are only 3 echinodorus bleheri in there.

TwoTankAmin
The plants are in their pots at the moment and the roots are still wrapped in rockwool.
I read on one of the fishless cycling threads that this was best to help introduce bacteria to the aquarium if you didn't have a source of used filter media - which I dont.

 

[Kentfish]

Thanks for the replies.

Kentfish
The tank is a Juwel Trigon 190l about 40UK gals or 54US gals.
There are only 3 echinodorus bleheri in there.

TwoTankAmin
The plants are in their pots at the moment and the roots are still wrapped in rockwool.
I read on one of the fishless cycling threads that this was best to help introduce bacteria to the aquarium if you didn't have a source of used filter media - which I dont.

In that case I wouldn't add fertilizer. Let them get established first.

Assuming you have good substrate, I'd take 'em out of the pots too, these can restrict growth a bit.

Good luck.

K.