Plants First Or Fish First

[Nik00117]

I intend on setting up a 50 gallon and my original plan was to add plants, and fish at the same time and do a cycle (a small amount of fish mind you) and run the tank as I normally would. However should I add fish first do the cycle then add plants, or add plants and then do the cycle?

Also I intend on doing soil on the bottom covered by sand on the top.

 

[magpie]

Plants first!

 

[thereverendturtle]

Agreed with magpie.

 

[Nik00117]

So a fish less cycle with plants?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

If heavily planting and willing to do daily water changes you can do a silent cycle adding fish after a few days providing you keep up with daily water changes.

 

[Nik00117]

I would not be willing to do daily water changes. So add plants after the cycle or during the cycle?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Plant the tank, fill the tank, wait for cycle, add fish.

 

[Nik00117]

Simple enough, also makes sense cycling time would allow plants to establish roots system. What is some good suggestion on planets for a new comer?

I'll be keeping the following:
Tiger Barbs
Swordtails
Cory
Platies

 

[magpie]

IF you plant heavily, you can put some (less sensitive) fish in right away. The plants help. Only add a few fish at a a time, and monitor your parameters closely. I never had ammonia in my current tank, planted well. I did weekly water changes, but checked my water daily for the first few weeks, then every few days once I started seeing that it never read any ammonia, and by getting reassurance from other planted tank owners. I added fish slowly.

 

[delta]

I'd go along with the plant first option too. Apart from anything else it gives you the chance to play around with the layout and getting it just how you want it without worrying about working around fish.

@Magpie, that tank in you sig is gorgeous.

 

[magpie]

@Magpie, that tank in you sig is gorgeous.

Thank you - I just love a lush, live-planted tank. I'm not sure I could ever do african cichlids because of it! Well, maybe if I had a much larger house and some cash came along to allow me to have a bunch of large tanks.

 

[delta]

Same here, I saw a beautiful display of Malawi Cichlids the other day which did make me think I'd love some but I too love heavily planted tanks. I think I've reached hubby's tolerance level with the 2 big tanks and the little Edge so no Malawi tank for me unless I can convert the one at work.