Fishless Cycling and Plants

[StarOrbs]

When doing fishless cycling is it alright to have plants in the tank? Will it speed up the process?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

People place plants in without a problem.

A question I am better qualified to answer is the second part. No, it won't speed up the process because plants take in the compounds, they don't convert it. And the only compounds (those involved in teh cycling process, of course) that the plants take in are the nitrites and nitrates. Well, that's what my reading has stated. Never read anything about them taking in ammonia...

 

[yvez9]

plants won't really alter your cycle.

they do consume nitrates but nitrate is the final stage of nitrogen cycle in your tank. plants will transform nitrates in nitrogen but it really is not necessary for having safe water. water changes will keep nitrates low enough

plants will not be harmed by ammonia though, so go ahead and put in plants!

 

[Crookster]

Would aquarium plant food speed up the cycle, as you would be adding nutrients?

 

[yvez9]

adding food and letting it rot will not speed up cycling, it will just provide more ammonia.

there is nothng much that can be doen to speed this up. Patience is the key word

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Plus, people use bottled ammonia (right?) so they have measured doses of it. No worries there. With the food, you can't quite control the spikes.

 

[jbennett]

Plants help keep Algae at bay.....