What First?.. Live Plants Or Fish?

[smellie92]

Hi, about a week ago i set up a new tank for my fish, they are currently in a smaller tank and we are moving them to our new bigger tank. I just wanted to know what i need to add first, the live plants or the fish? as the local fish shop said to not add the plants until we have added the fish, just wondered what everyone elses thoughts were?

Cheers

 

[RossC]

Have you cycled the tank?
And when I set mine up I added plants first but I don't think it really matters.

 

[smellie92]

well i literally bought it and set it up about a week ago, it has a built in filter which i have had running from when i set up. i will double check with LFS about plants again.

 

[FishBlast]

well i literally bought it and set it up about a week ago, it has a built in filter which i have had running from when i set up. i will double check with LFS about plants again.

It takes months to cycle the filter and it requires that you add ammonia or in worst case use the fish as ammonia generators (but that requires daily water changes). It also requires that you use test kits in order to know when the filter is cycled.

You could use your other filter as a temp until the other filter cycles if you run them both in the same tank. This assuming your other tank already has a filter.

 

[m_attt]

plants first as you can drain the tank down to substrate level then its easier to plant. and you wont be stressing the fish with you hands in the tank with plants going in and out.

 

[RossC]

You need to cycle your tank, check out my video which shows you how:
How to Cycle a Tropical Tank
I strongly advise against a fish-in cycle its hard work for you and harmful to the fish.

 

[phoenix2081]

Mentions fish in other tank. Just take some of the existing cycled media and put into new filter! No one else pick up on that or am I misreading?

I personally would go plants first so your fish can get used to the surroundings without you stressing them by adding new things and having your hands in straight away.

 

[FishBlast]

Mentions fish in other tank. Just take some of the existing cycled media and put into new filter! No one else pick up on that or am I misreading?

I personally would go plants first so your fish can get used to the surroundings without you stressing them by adding new things and having your hands in straight away.

I did and suggested that they run both filters so that the newer filter also gets a colony of bacteria in case the new filter is stronger.

 

[phoenix2081]

Aha yes I missed that part of your reply. That is a my bad.

Well done you for suggesting it Could just take part of the media though.

 

[`Peter]

You need to cycle your tank or you will end up buying fish that keep dying.

 

[phoenix2081]

You need to cycle your tank or you will end up buying fish that keep dying.

not neccessarily, you can still do a fish in cycle with 'hardy fish' although it is not reccommended. Can be done with no fatalities.

 

[`Peter]

You need to cycle your tank or you will end up buying fish that keep dying.

not neccessarily, you can still do a fish in cycle with 'hardy fish' although it is not reccommended. Can be done with no fatalities.

Yes I agree, but why risk it better off doing a fishless cycle.

 

[FishBlast]

Aha yes I missed that part of your reply. That is a my bad.

Well done you for suggesting it Could just take part of the media though.

Yeah but what are the odds that a tiny piece of media could work for a HUGE tank though? Some tanks probably need a big amount of bacteria to even keep the fish safe till the new filter media gets bacteria too.

 

[Steve H.]

Odds are good....bacteria multiplies.

 

[FishBlast]

Odds are good....bacteria multiplies.

Fast enough to cover for all the fish? Or will there be water changes done daily?
Asking this because some day I'll be replacing my current filter and I'm wondering how to do it the easier way. I'm thinking of getting a similar but bigger filter so that the current sponge could be added if needed.