New Setup - Fishless Cycles - Also Gravel/sand Question

[Cooper2085]

Very soon im going to have some empty tanks that will need to be cycled, they may be empty for weeks at a time. By adding household ammonia i assume this will keep them ticking over? How much needs to be added? Will it need to be added on a daily basis?

Now, sand. Iv only ever used gravel. Is sand easy enough to keep clean, im thinking about a divided fry tank. I will be keeping mainly Corys, i know they like small gravel or sand.

All advice appreciated.

 

[Colin_T]

add enough ammonia to give the tank a 5ppm level. Each day add more ammonia to bring the levels back up to 5ppm.

sand compacts more than gravel but can be gravel cleaned just like gravel. You don't want much tho, 1/2 inch is fine.

 

[Cooper2085]

Thinking about adding a amazon sword and a bit of java fern to each divide aswell. What substrate should be used?

 

[Colin_T]

Java Fern can be tied to rock or wood with some string, cotton or fishing line.

The swordplant can be kep in gravel. I often pot them up so they can be moved from tank to tank. I use a plastic container with some gravel in the bottom. Then a thin layer of red clay and some lawn fertiliser, followed by a bit more clay and then more gravel. The plants get planted into the gravel and send their roots down for the nutrients.

 

[Cooper2085]

Thanks for that Are there any threads you could link me to with pictures of the potted plants?

I dont need them to be pretty, just effective. Would a clay pot be ok? From what i understand Amazon Sword and Java fern need little to no Co2? And also less light than other plants?

 

[Catfish enthusiast]

With sand vacuum just above the sand so you dont suck up any sand.

 

[Colin_T]

Thanks for that Are there any threads you could link me to with pictures of the potted plants?

I dont need them to be pretty, just effective. Would a clay pot be ok? From what i understand Amazon Sword and Java fern need little to no Co2? And also less light than other plants?

sorry, can't help you with links but clay pots are fine. Just block up the hole in the bottom to stop the gravel coming out when it gets moved.
Amazon swords like light but will tolerate low light. Java Fern will also tolerate low light.
All plants need CO2 when they have light but need oxygen in the dark. However, there is plenty of CO2 in the air and water naturally. If you don't have really bright lights on the tank then there is no need to add extra CO2.