Basically it says that with high light and CO2 injection (which I've got) the best way is to let the plants establish for several weeks, without adding ammonia. Now I'm confused and don't know what to do...
Just finished cycling a 29 gal with lots of plants in it. No problem for the plants in fact they are thriving. It didnt seem to affect the cycle or the readings during the cycle and the ammonia level was over 5ppm during the spike. So i think you can go either way but if you are like me an additional few weeks without fish in the tank would have been unbearable.
I don't think it would be an additional few weeks; he seems to be suggesting it as an alternative, so that you add fish after a while, without ever having cycled it in the normal way. But it's good to know that you had no problems with your cycling in your planted tank - how long did it take you?
waterwatereverywhere:
the tank cycled in 28 days and at times it was the longest 28 days i have ever spent. looking at the tank with all those nice plants and no fish to enjoy them was almost hurtful, i am sure the fish appreciate not going through the cycle though.
*bump* Anybody else got any opinions on this theory? It does sound plausible to me, and I've found other articles which seem to back it up. So I'm thinking of giving it a go, I'll let my plants get established for a couple of weeks. I might even then put a pinch of food in for a few days, as if the theory's right then I shouldn't get any spikes at all. Plants should arrive tomorrow, can't wait to get gardening!
- how long did it take you?
