When To Add Plants To A New Tank

[SimonG]

Hi all,

Getting ready to set up my first tank... when do I add plants?

As I said, getting ready to set up my first tank, so no fish as yet. I understand plants live off the fish waste, so how long before I get the fish should I add the plants?

Does cycling effect when the plants should be added?

I did have an idea about feeding the plants before I got the fish, but does this effect the cycling process?


If there's a pinned post about adding plants, or this topic has "been done to death" elsewhere, sorry I've missed it, but I'm happy to follow a link

 

[Togsticles]

I'm just coming to the end of my fishless cycle and had live plants in from the off.

I don't know what the general view on it is but mine has gone fine

 

[Noahs ark6]

Plants don't necessarily live of fish waste. Fish waste can provide nutrients at the roots if you've got gravel. I belive adding plants at the very beginning (before the cycle starts) will help speed up the cycle. I can't see why adding ferts during a cycle would cause any problems

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, you can cycle with plants.

However, as this is your first tank and your first cycle, I would do proper fishless cycle, in a bare tank. I know it will be a little dull, and you'll want to get fish and plants as soon as you can, but the basics you will learn about the nitrogen cycle, good testing practice and even water changes are invaluable skills that will stand you in good stead once you have actual, living fish to look after.

It's also much better to learn these things and make your mistakes before you have fish that will suffer, and perhaps even die, if you get it wrong.

Console yourself with the fact that, once you've done this, first fishless cycle, you'll never, ever have to do another one; all your subsequent tanks can be 'seeded' from that first one (unless you give up the hobby and come back to it later, of course!).

 

[SimonG]

Thanks for the advice folks.

Tank is finally together and underway, plantless at the moment.
As fluttermoth advised plently to learn about first, without having plants to worry about as well.
I now plan to add them later, once I'm happy with basics (and before fish).

 

[Noahs ark6]

Wise move. I hope all goes well for you