Silent Cycling: Planting To Aid The Cycle.
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Miss Wiggle
Practically perfect in every way
yeah, for me, while I think the theory holds i don't feel that article gives enough details about the level of planting and fertilisation required to do it sucessfully.
i'd like to see one of the plant guru's on here try it though and let us know how they get on. other methods of cycling are always good to hear about
i'd like to see one of the plant guru's on here try it though and let us know how they get on. other methods of cycling are always good to hear about
andywg
Bored into leaving
Technically there is no cycling in a planted tank such as this as there is never any bacteria to break down the ammonia into nitrite into nitrate.
The plants (and algae do this too) take up the ammonia directly (and prefer to take up ammonia than nitrate) and the pruning of the plant-life allows the ammonia to escape the system.
There is a fantastic book which goes through all of this that I used to know, but have forgotton the title. I know Bignose referenced it in a post a few months ago. I think it may be "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium" by Diana L Walstad but am not entirely sure.
The plants (and algae do this too) take up the ammonia directly (and prefer to take up ammonia than nitrate) and the pruning of the plant-life allows the ammonia to escape the system.
There is a fantastic book which goes through all of this that I used to know, but have forgotton the title. I know Bignose referenced it in a post a few months ago. I think it may be "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium" by Diana L Walstad but am not entirely sure.
Miss Wiggle
Practically perfect in every way
ah yes, I think Ian's mentioned that book. anyone got a copy and can enlighten us?
andywg
Bored into leaving
I have never bothered with a fishless cycle so cannot tell you. My first tank was set up and fish added soon after and every other tank has been cloned from it (save the SW tanks which were put together with durec live rock).
I would guess you are better off planting first and then checking on how much ammonia they are pulling up before throwing fish in. The plants will eventually take some of the ammonia, and the filter the rest. The problem will be knowing at what point you have enough plants to start stocking.
If you are interested at all, I seem to recall that if you look into "Dynamic Aquaria: Building Living Ecosystems" by Walter H. Adey and Karen Loveland you will see a number of different filtering methods , including filterless planted tanks and the Algae Turf Scrubber which worked on a similar theme but utilises algae which is less specific about its conditions for growth.
I did a big long post on ATS a while ago here.
Once I have a SW rack system to keep frogfish I will look into turf algae as it has been found to be so effective that skimmers that are normally emptied once a week can go months without emptying due to the phenomenal nutrient uptake of turf algae. It's effects on coral growth are less clear.
I would guess you are better off planting first and then checking on how much ammonia they are pulling up before throwing fish in. The plants will eventually take some of the ammonia, and the filter the rest. The problem will be knowing at what point you have enough plants to start stocking.
If you are interested at all, I seem to recall that if you look into "Dynamic Aquaria: Building Living Ecosystems" by Walter H. Adey and Karen Loveland you will see a number of different filtering methods , including filterless planted tanks and the Algae Turf Scrubber which worked on a similar theme but utilises algae which is less specific about its conditions for growth.
I did a big long post on ATS a while ago here.
Once I have a SW rack system to keep frogfish I will look into turf algae as it has been found to be so effective that skimmers that are normally emptied once a week can go months without emptying due to the phenomenal nutrient uptake of turf algae. It's effects on coral growth are less clear.
scubadoo
Fish Crazy
The root systems of some of the plants will include some of the beneficial bacteria you're trying to cultivate during your fishless cycle, so they can help to seed your filter (in much the same way that adding mature filter media from another tank would).
It is recommended though that you leave the plants in the mineral wool while you're cycling - I assume this lets the bacteria get into your aquarium easier. I did this during my fishless cycle and the whole thing was done and dusted in about 3 weeks start to finish, so it worked for me. After cycling the tank, I then planted the plants for real.
I've been angling for a copy of Diana Walstad's book for a while - it sound interesting.
It is recommended though that you leave the plants in the mineral wool while you're cycling - I assume this lets the bacteria get into your aquarium easier. I did this during my fishless cycle and the whole thing was done and dusted in about 3 weeks start to finish, so it worked for me. After cycling the tank, I then planted the plants for real.
I've been angling for a copy of Diana Walstad's book for a while - it sound interesting.
You were then very lucky. You do not leave the mineral wool in with the plants. That is a misconception. It can clog their fragile roots by preventing circulation and restricts growth, leading to rot, which leads to ammonia production. Take off the wool. Don't anchor with rubber bands or anchor weights either. There is no need to cycle in a heavily-planted aquarium, when at least 75% of substrate is covered with stemplants. I have never cycled planted tanks. The article in the original post of this thread is very good. I tend to add my fishload carefully, however, but that's just me. I have been in the hobby long enough where cycling with fish was practiced, and I still tend to be conservative with stocking while the aquarium is new.
llj
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