newbie ?s

**nu2fishes** · 01-02-2013, 05:16 AM

okay folks ~

newbie ? for new tank - 5 gal hex (marineland with 3 stage filtration) being set up to be a home for a betta. want it to be planted. have been lurking and read about cycling. noted a post while lurking, can't find it now of course, that indicated cycling not being needed for a planted tank. did i read / understand that correctly? do i cycle my planted tank? have the items suggested on the list for needed supplies, including my fresh water test kit

i await enlightenment, thanks a bunch

and HAPPY NEW YEAR

**Honey Badger 1** · 01-02-2013, 05:35 AM

Unless your tank is very heavily planted you will still need to cycle the tank. A "silent cycle" needs more plants than most of us have or are willing to have in our tanks.

**nu2fishes** · 01-02-2013, 05:56 AM

thanks a bunch

**Honey Badger 1** · 01-02-2013, 11:44 AM

You are welcome. Also keep in mind, I don't think it is so much that the plants actually cycle the tank, but they use up the ammonia as it is being produced by the fish. This is why the tank has to be so heavily planted and so lightly stocked. If the balance between fish and plants isn't exactly right, the fish will suffer ammonia and then nitrite poisoning.

**Hardy85** · 01-02-2013, 11:47 AM

The plants can actually be killed by high levels of ammonia or nitrites, so if there is no bacteria yet they can die off. I think you should cycle, then add plants

**Honey Badger 1** · 01-02-2013, 11:56 AM

It would take a huge amount of ammonia to kill off the plant, the fish would be long dead before the plants. I've fish-less cycled tanks with plants and bottled ammonia and the plants were fine with ammonia levels of 4ppm.

**Hardy85** · 01-02-2013, 11:59 AM

Ok, I had just seen in another forum on here http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...d.php?t=109344

someone mentioning that plants aren't good with that, just citing my source ;)

**Honey Badger 1** · 01-02-2013, 12:07 PM

I'm sure extended time being exposed to high levels of ammonia would kill off the plants, but for cycling they should be alright. And I do agree, the OP should cycle the tank fish-less. This insures the fish will not be harmed by ammonia.

**nu2fishes** · 01-14-2013, 03:59 AM

thanks for the great info, very much appreciated

**Goes to 11!** · 01-14-2013, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by Hardy85

Ok, I had just seen in another forum on here http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...d.php?t=109344

someone mentioning that plants aren't good with that, just citing my source ;)

Please link to the specific post or identify it by number also so that we are not required to read an entire thread in an attempt to confirm your source. It will save everybody a lot of time.