Using Daphnia As Bioload For Tank Cycling

[rmb]

In a new planted tank, using fish-free cycling, would a few bags of Daphnia produce a measurable bio-load, eat some of the inevitable algal bloom, and still be there as a tasty snack for when the first fish were introduced?

 

[nurglespuss]

I've thought the same myself on a few occasions...

The only problem is, with no predation, you could end up overloading your new system... (just my thoughts)

 

[RadaR]

eat some of the inevitable algal bloom there as a tasty snack for when the first fish were introduced?

Won't be an algae bloom if your plants are growing well with no deficiencies. They'll happily uptake the ammonia which causes algae.
Seen this? Why We Should Not Fishless Cycle Planted Tanks

 

[rmb]

There are no fish yet, therefore no ammonia? Plants and gravel don't do ammonia. I was hoping that the daphnia would pee, the algae would grow and the daphnia would eat the algae etc. etc. at the same time the filters would develop and the tank would cycle? Regards the excess of daphnia I could bring one of my smaller coldwater koi in for a few days (with the heaters off) for an "all-inclusive" if they do seem too prolific.

 

[RadaR]

There are no fish yet, therefore no ammonia? Plants and gravel don't do ammonia. I was hoping that the daphnia would pee, the algae would grow and the daphnia would eat the algae etc. etc.

Bet there are tiny concentrations, even if it's from small parts of decaying plants etc..........anywho, I was talking about after you add the daphnia, which as you say, would excrete ammonia.

 

[drobbyb]

The daphnia would most likely starve. Like radar said, your plants would use up all the available ammonia, so no algae growth = no food for daphnia. In the end, their decaying bodies would produce ammonia though. Get some fish