When Can I Add Plants

[Videl]

I am going to upgrade my fish from my 15 gallon to a 50+gallon tank real soon...i'l buy my new tank with equipment...set up all the equipment (lights, filters heaters, etc) in the right postion...place dechlorinated water into the tank and let it run until i know that there are no leaks and until the right temperature is reached...
So the question is, when can i add live plants (preferably elodea since its hardy)? Is it possible to add the plants before or during the cycle process or should i add the plants after the cycle process? So you know, im planning to speed up the cyclig process by using some gravel from my previous tank... thankyou.

 

[IovaykInD]

If you plant the tank with enough elodea, there won't be a cycle at all. Plant heavily at first, and you could add fish right away. The reason is that the plants will use up ammonia, nitrite(I think), and nitrate. But remember, you must plant pretty heavily for this to work. I would say at least 50% of the substrate should be covered with elodea or whatever plant you want.

 

[love_fish]

^^I really wouldnt do that. Plants dont use as much nitrites/ammonia as you think. I would wait on the plants until the nitrites/nitrates soar. Thats what i did, and my plants never started to die like they would with ammonia and nitrites.

 

[IovaykInD]

With enough plants..correct lighting and nutrients, the plants will not die. love fish, I don't think plants can die because of ammonia and nitrites, did you use a lot of plants and have the right balance of nutrients and light? You might have experience algae because something was wrong in your tank. I don't know..it's different for every tank, but I planted heavily at first and my tank never went through a cycle.

 

[Dubby]

I am going to upgrade my fish from my 15 gallon to a 50+gallon tank real soon...i'l buy my new tank with equipment...set up all the equipment (lights, filters heaters, etc) in the right postion...place dechlorinated water into the tank and let it run until i know that there are no leaks and until the right temperature is reached...
So the question is, when can i add live plants (preferably elodea since its hardy)? Is it possible to add the plants before or during the cycle process or should i add the plants after the cycle process? So you know, im planning to speed up the cyclig process by using some gravel from my previous tank... thankyou.

You can add plants at anytime before/during/after the cycle. Since you are using gravel from the older tank there should hardly be any cycling. And yes, plants will help keep levels of nitrate down.

 

[csjasona]

It's usually far easier to add the plants before you fill the new tank up with water. Trying to aquascape with a tank that is full of water is nigh on impossible.

If you ensure the water you put in the new tank is treated beforehand (dechlorinated, etc.) and seeded with some bacteria (either by using some existing water from your current tank or by using a commercial bacteria seeder solution), the water is heated and filtered, then you can and should add the plants straight away - i.e. design your layout and then add your water.

Some people find it easier to add a few cms of water to the tank after putting in their substrate and then add the plants and then add the rest of the water; this helps to ensure the plants have access to water at their root level at all times during the time you'll use to re-arrange things.