Pressurized Co2 While Cycling?

[three-fingers]

Just to add...the other good thing about a low pH is that the equilibrium of ammonia to ammonium shifts further towards ammonium (which is non-toxic). So an "ammonia spike" would be less of an issue than with the lower pH anyway.

Normal test kits measure both ammonium and ammonia when you see the ppm for "ammonia" btw.

 

[Geoff1991]

Ive got nothing in there other than plants at the moment... Im determined to get this fishless cycle done asap, so lets ask a new question

If i want my cycle to finish asap co2 on or co2 off and easycarbo then co2 during my qualifying week to make sure everythings ok?

 

[three-fingers]

Look at what easy carbo is made of: http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutaraldehyde

Then decide for yourself if you think it will be good to dose when cycling a tank. Al I know is that it is often harmful to some shrimp. It's not toxic to all plants though, and fish dont seem to mind it at all. But I'm dubious as to whether it's healthy for them in the long run.

As for which is going to be faster to get rid of the ammonia/nitrite then I'd definitely say CO2 on.

But as I've been trying to say, planted tanks don't cycle the same way as non-planted tanks. The aim is the same (no ammonia/nitrite) but the idea is to get the plants growing well rather than the bacteria, as the plants will use the ammonia later anyway, why bother cycling?

So if it was me - CO2 on and no easy carbo until the ammonia/nitrite is gone.

 

[Geoff1991]

Ok, im switching the rest of my lighting and co2 back on, and its staying on. We'll see what happens i guess.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Geoff, never cycle a tank with plants. You are asking for algae issues. Either cycle without the plants and keep the tank in the dark, or plant heavily from the start, encourage maximum growth from the start and never have to cycle. This business about bacteria colonies not developing in a low pH is proved wrong on a daily basis in planted tanks. Three Fingers has mentioned this, too.

If you truly understood the importance of CO2 to your tank, you would never mess about with it. Get it to non limiting levels and leave it there. In a lightly planted tank such as yours, you should never need to tweak it. Messing about with the CO2 will be the biggest cause of algae in your tank.

This forum is a pain for letting people cycle with plants.

Dave.

 

[Geoff1991]

Oh it wasnt this forum, i had plants in before i joined...

If only i knew...

c02 is on and staying on, and i dose 3ml of TPN+ daily

 

[degsod]

If the tank is going to remain a planted tank then I would agree, however if you are putting fish in then the build up of a good bacteria colony is important.

Post your readings in a log every day so we can see what is going on, and mention if you have left your CO2 on.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Geoff, provided you have sufficient healthy plant growth, I would do everything that the plants need and forget the fishless cycle. It is a waste of time for you. Do you have any pics of the tank to show the planting levels?

Dave.

 

[Geoff1991]

Erm, not currently. Ill take some when my cameras charged.

 

[Geoff1991]

Sorry dave, i forgot i do want your help.

Ill get some up tonight.

 

[lljdma06]

Geoff, never cycle a tank with plants. You are asking for algae issues. Either cycle without the plants and keep the tank in the dark, or plant heavily from the start, encourage maximum growth from the start and never have to cycle. This business about bacteria colonies not developing in a low pH is proved wrong on a daily basis in planted tanks. Three Fingers has mentioned this, too.

If you truly understood the importance of CO2 to your tank, you would never mess about with it. Get it to non limiting levels and leave it there. In a lightly planted tank such as yours, you should never need to tweak it. Messing about with the CO2 will be the biggest cause of algae in your tank.

This forum is a pain for letting people cycle with plants.

Dave.

Hey! I don't know where they are getting this mumbo jumbo from? When have you seen me ever cycle a tank?

I will reinterate David's point. If you plant densly, like you should anyway, from the onset, you can add fish as soon as you setup a planted tank. Really we are not joking. Fishless cycle is a waste time for a Planted tank and I don't get where you're gettin your info from. Certainly not from your moderator.

 

[Geoff1991]

Well i planted gradually while i was fishless cycling... Wasnt going for a planted tank when i started

Edit:

I think everyone thinks is planted more densely than it actually is, my plants barely use any ammonia by the look of it

Picture from a few weeks ago, ive added a couple of stem plants and tidied it up since.

Edit: Yeah, picture has my old filter and no co2... Ill try to get a better one later.