Needing a refresher...

[Xtinguish01]

Heu guys and gals. My name is jenn and i just set up a 16 gal bow front tank. My last tank was 8 years ago and a 40 gal. As ive been reading up on things... things are different. So far i washed my gravel with tap water and placed in tank and added filter and water... i havent placed decor or plants yet. Yes i know i would be removing water to compensate for what materials i add. I added the conditioner. Ive never did a dechlorinater.... im back and forth about live plants verses plastic. Need help about this cycle business everyone is talking about. Was i always did before was have the tank run for 2 days and just add fish ine at a time with a week apart. Now it seems i am missing a few steps. Thanks in advance for any pointers.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Welcome. This link will explain everything you need for cycling a tank.

http://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

 

[Xtinguish01]

Thank you. What are your thoughts on plant life? I was thinking of doi ng a mixture if live and plastic plants.. would this help cycle the tank?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

ABSOLUTELY!!!

Plants will use ammonia straight from the tank, and shorten the cycle time. Adding plants changes the cycling process a bit. Add less ammonia (1 or maybe 2 ppm, rather than 3), test more frequently (every day or 2 rather than every 3 days, depending on the amount of plants).

Plants are great, and there's a lot of easy plants to go with. Google "aquarium plants for beginners" and a lot of good resources will show up to help with plant selection.

 

[Xtinguish01]

Thank you so much! Im going to get researching.