fishless cycling

[bigmick474]

I am currently doing a fishless cycle without adding ammonia, just fish food.
Can i add plants to the tank now or should i wait for the cycle to finish.
I have 1.7 wpg of light, and sand substrate
what plants wouold grow in these conditions.
Thanks

EDIT: would i be better using pure ammonia or will the food work ok?

 

[bigmick474]

any advice would be appreciate

 

[Bloo]

I think it should be fine adding plants now if you really want to.
Just keep adding some food every day and do no water changes until your tank is cycled. Keep testing along the way to check the cycle and rise and fall of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites. Your tank is going to look pretty murky with the fish food rotting away (as opposed to using clear neat ammonia) but don't worry about that. When your tank is cycled, you can do a proper water change and rinse your fileter media in siphoned tank water.

 

[vantgE]

Plants are very beneficial for a cycle they add many bacteria to help seed the tank that are always present in their roots, definately use amonia if you can, your going to get alot of bad bacteria, and possibly deseases cultureing with food, but if you don't have you might as well stay with what you are on

 

[Bloo]

Actually on second thought: as you are in London, you should easily be able to find Jeyes "Kleen Off" ammonia. Robert Dyas or some local hardware / utility shops should also stock it. It's the better way to go and costs just over £1 for a huge bottle

 

[gadazobe]

You can use fish food in a fishless cycle - it just takes longer because it takes a while for the food to rot and produce the ammonia.

 

[bigmick474]

You can use fish food in a fishless cycle - it just takes longer because it takes a while for the food to rot and produce the ammonia.

how long roughly should it take??
would it be quicker if the water was warmer, (its 25 degrees C)

 

[gadazobe]

Depends on the size of the tank and how much food you're putting in. It took me about 4-5 weeks to cycle a 120 litre tank, but I started it off with a piece of meat, then went to fish food, using a large pinch per day. I cycled my newer tanks with ammonia - found it easier and quicker.