Hello Friends

[communityfluvalroma]

Looks like you have some anacharis, that is one of my favorite plants. I have some that is around 3 feet tall and I let it bend at the surface to give shade to my tetras. You can let it float too and when it gets too long just snap it in two and plant both ends.

I do indeed, I bought 3 bunches as they were recommended to me.

They sound great, they are very small at the moment so I’m looking forward to watching them grow.

 

[Retired Viking]

I do indeed, I bought 3 bunches as they were recommended to me.

They sound great, they are very small at the moment so I’m looking forward to watching them grow.

They do grow fast and are good at removing the ammonia and improving the water quality. I do a silent/planted cycle with plants like anacharis. It is much faster and more natural than the other ways to cycle a tank.

 

[communityfluvalroma]

They do grow fast and are good at removing the ammonia and improving the water quality. I do a silent/planted cycle with plants like anacharis. It is much faster and more natural than the other ways to cycle a tank.

What do you mean by a silent cycle?

 

[Retired Viking]

You plant enough plants in your tank to absorb the ammonia created by your fish. You first establish your planted tank which takes around two weeks or so and then add fish in small groups . I have tetras which are small so I add 6 at a time like 6 neon tetra and wait a week and test for ammonia if 0 I add another shoal of 6 fish. With larger fish you add fewer fish. What you want is for the plants to absorb the fish waste (ammonia) and CO2 they produce and the fish get oxygen and water free of ammonia, it is a natural cycle that does not depend on bacteria forming. You want fast growing floating plants line anacharis, water sprite and hornwort to do it.

 

[Retired Viking]

If you look up silent cycle or planted cycle on google it will explain how it works. I do it one all my tanks. You can also use Tetra SafeStart Plus to help cycle your tank if you want to do it the regular way to help jump start your tank. Read this sites cycling your tank section or google safestart plus.

 

[communityfluvalroma]

You plant enough plants in your tank to absorb the ammonia created by your fish. You first establish your planted tank which takes around two weeks or so and then add fish in small groups . I have tetras which are small so I add 6 at a time like 6 neon tetra and wait a week and test for ammonia if 0 I add another shoal of 6 fish. With larger fish you add fewer fish. What you want is for the plants to absorb the fish waste (ammonia) and CO2 they produce and the fish get oxygen and water free of ammonia, it is a natural cycle that does not depend on bacteria forming. You want fast growing floating plants line anacharis, water sprite and hornwort to do it.

This is the exact cycle that I’m doing. I called it the ‘fish less’ cycle. So in your experience the cycle takes around 2 weeks?

 

[JuiceBox52]

This is the exact cycle that I’m doing. I called it the ‘fish less’ cycle. So in your experience the cycle takes around 2 weeks?

If you have lots of plants and add the safe start about2 weeks

 

[communityfluvalroma]

If you have lots of plants and add the safe start about2 weeks

What is your definition of ‘lots’? I have 8 plants, 4 background and 4 foreground plants.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Looks like you have some anacharis, that is one of my favorite plants. I have some that is around 3 feet tall and I let it bend at the surface to give shade to my tetras. You can let it float too and when it gets too long just snap it in two and plant both ends.

I personally don’t recommend snapping it in two. I have a lot of experience with growing Anacharis.

I recommend cutting it off near the top. The Anacharis will not regrow from the spot that you cut it from. There will be little, smaller sprouts along the remainder of the stem.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

The plants have arrived!!

I have just placed them in rows foreground and background. Once the lava rock turns up, I’ll be able to position everything properly.

Really happy with the plants.

View attachment 102054

I love the grass, looks great!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

What is your definition of ‘lots’? I have 8 plants, 4 background and 4 foreground plants.

Exactly my question.

A fish less cycle takes up to 6 weeks to fully cycle. (With no SeaChem prime)

If you don’t believe me @JuiceBox52, read this thread:https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

The tank is looking great so far! Is it just me, or is the light not on?

 

[Essjay]

I think JuiceBox meant a silent cycle, also using Safe Start can be ready for fish in 2 weeks. The OP used the term fishless cycle for what is usually called a silent cycle.

 

[Retired Viking]

A planted or silent cycle is not a fish-less cycle. Once the tank has been planted you add the fish. You do not need the bacteria to develop because the plants absorb the ammonia so you do not have to worry about nitrate or nitrite either. You just have to make sure you have enough plants for the number of fish you are planning to have. Fast growing floating plants like anacharis, water sprite and hornwort work best.

 

[Retired Viking]

Here is just one link of many that explain a silent-planted cycle.
https://www.myaquariumclub.com/silent-cycle-246502.html

How to Cycle an Aquarium - Fish Care Guide

If you have an aquarium with a biological filter, then you might have heard of this. But what is cycling a fish tank and why is it necessary?

fishcareguide.com

 

[Salty&Onion]

I agree, gravel mixed with sand looks terrible. I personally prefer sand.

I had gravel mixed with sand