Silent Cycle

[guppyman1]

I have read about silent cycling and don't understand what are stem plants...can someone give me some examples of easy going stem plants to silent cycle a low-tech.

Another question I have is can I fish-less cycle my low-tech plant without any plants in it and then after the cycle is complete just plant my aquarium...in order to avoid silent cycling.

Can someone briefly summarize the steps of doing a silent cycle on a low-tech.

 

[RadaR]

I have read about silent cycling and don't understand what are stem plants...can someone give me some examples of easy going stem plants to silent cycle a low-tech.

Hygrophila, Ludwigia, Rotala, Ambulia.

Another question I have is can I fish-less cycle my low-tech plant without any plants in it and then after the cycle is complete just plant my aquarium...in order to avoid silent cycling.

Yes you can do that. Tank lights must be off during your fish-less cycle.

Can someone briefly summarize the steps of doing a silent cycle on a low-tech.

The same as silent cycling for a medium-high tech planted tank but because the plants aren't growing as quickly, you must wait longer before adding groups of fish. Those groups of fish must be smaller too.

 

[guppyman1]

How can I tell if a certain plant is a stem plant or not?

After I am done my fish-less cycle and plant my tank what do I need to feed the plants? Please give as much information as you know about feeding the plants is it even required as I will only have floating plants or plants attached to decor.

 

[RadaR]

How can I tell if a certain plant is a stem plant or not?

Long stems that extend vertically, with many leaves attached up the stem, as opposed to rosette plants or plants with rhizomes.

I am done my fish-less cycle and plant my tank what do I need to feed the plants? Please give as much information as you know about feeding the plants is it even required as I will only have floating plants or plants attached to decor.

How much nutrients you give to the plants depends on how much light you give them. Less light= less demand for nutrients and CO2.
With low light, just fish might be enough to produce the nutrients needed. Maybe add some trace elements every 2 weeks or so. With low light, CO2 is not needed, but can increase growth speed. If Co2 is added then nutrients definetly will need to be.