Is it true?

[IovaykInD]

I've read on other forums that plants help the cycling process, but only if there are A LOT of plants. I believe this was tested with two bettas in two 2.5 gallon tanks. One tank had java moss, the other tank didn't. On the fifth day, nitrite levels were toxic in the tank without java moss, and not detected in the tank with java moss. I'm planning to get A LOT of plants for my 29 gallon if this is going to help that incredibly. I'm planning on java moss, and java fern.

Isaac

 

[OrkyBetta]

I bet it is true, since plants use the nitrates.

 

[zig]

Yes apparently its true although i have never tried it.

You need to use fast growing STEM plants, java fern and moss wont work as they grow to slow, basically the idea is that plants love ammonia and as soon as the fish produce waste it is used up by the plants, so you never get ammonia or nitrate spikes that you would in a normal cycle.

So basically if their is no ammonia it cant kill the fish.

You should do tests anyway to make sure you have enough plants to use up the ammonia that is produced.

Apparently good plants to use are Moneywort, Wisteria, Red Ludwigia, Water Sprite or any fast growing Hygro plant

Ow yeah but heres the drawback for most people, you need the correct lighting to be able to grow these plants Fast in the first place, so if you only have basic lighting say at the 1 or even 2 watts per gallon it probably wont work for you because you will not be able to grow the plants fast enough to keep up with the waste being produced, but apperantly it is the bacteria on the plants that auctually begins the cycle in your filter media, and after a couple of months you can start to remove the fast growers and put in the plants that you want.

 

[George Farmer]

It is true. Plants consume all nitrogen based compounds i.e. Ammonium, Nitrite and Nitrate.

You will need to exhibit good growth rates from a high bio-mass of fast growing stem plants though to eliminate the need for traditional cycling completely. These high growth rates are normally attributed to moderate to high light levels (>2 Watts per Gallon), CO2 injection (20 to 30 ppm) and nutrient rich substrate/water.

Stock fish slowly to minimise risk.

 

[iggy01]

Yes! All the above info is correct. This link gives detailed instructions.

Good luck.

 

[IovaykInD]

Because the plants are in the tank while cycling, means the tank will never cycle? Or will the plants just keep the ammonia and nitrite levels down, so the fish don't get affected? Also, how many plants should I get for my 29 gallon tank that I am getting planted? I don't know if I can get stemmed plants because I have an UGF. Are there any plants that aren't stemmed, but grow really fast? Or any plants that are stemmed, but don't care about UGFs?

Isaac

 

[rdd1952]

The tank will still cycle. Don't get the idea that you can fill up your tank with water, add a bunch of plants and then add a full fish load. That's not the case. You can add fish slowly like in a regular cycle with fish. The big difference is that the plants will keep the toxic ammonia and nitrite from building up while still allowing the tank to cycle. Just keep checking yout parameters daily to make sure you aren't having a problem.

 

[IovaykInD]

Yea,
I know that it wouldn't be that easy . Nothing with fish keeping is that easy. What plants would be good for an UFG? Preferably, plants that don't need much light.

Isaac

 

[rdd1952]

I've never had an UGF so I'm not sure if there are any special things you have to do or not. It would seem to me that the roots would be a problem with a UGF but that's just a thought. For good plant info, try here and here. I have ordered from the second one twice and was very happy with the plants and service.

 

[IovaykInD]

Is anacharis a good plant for starters? To help my tank cycle, because i've read that it is a fast growing plant, and doesn't require too much lighting. How much should I get for a 29 Gallon Tank?

Isaac

 

[rdd1952]

Anacharis is about as easy to grow as anything. Once it starts growing, you will have to prune it at least once a week. I hadn't done mine in 2 weeks until yesterday and I probably cut 50 to 60 new plants off of it. When it grows, you will see new roots come out from the plant. Just cut the plant off below the root and stick it in the substrate and you have a new plant. Wisteria and Hygrophilia are also good, fast growing plants that don't require a huge amount of light.