anti
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Posts: 139 
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Post by anti on Jun 28, 2015 23:37:43 GMT -5
For the life of me I cannot find information in regards how long the nitrogen cycle can live for without being "fed" or without fish. I knew I read it somewhere in Carl's articles, but cant seem to find it. Reason for wanting to know is that when I decide to start the new aquarium; I plan on putting plants first and just fine tuning my water parameters first before adding fish which may take several days to two weeks. I am hoping not to have to do a "mini-cycle" seeing that my original cycle took 21 long days; but then again if that what it takes......... Any information would be appreciated. BTW plan of action is as follows for my first attempt for a "planted tank"
Add dechlorinated water (close to the parameters of existing fish only tank )with seeded media
Add plants and wait a week to let plants establish themselves while fine tuning water parameters
Add fish
Anyone with a wet green thumb has better suggestions; I'm all ears
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Post by angelminx on Jun 29, 2015 2:02:21 GMT -5
Where are your plants coming from? If from (someone's) well-established healthy tank, then it should help speed up the cycling time (can't remember actual numbers), but if you are getting them from the fish store, or online, I would disinfect them 1st (in case of possible pathogens) which might knock out any established bacteria. It's kind of like seeding the tank with "used" gravel, the bacteria--good and bad--will come along for the ride. If you add some (hardy species) shrimp to the tank, that might help things along, too (until recently, I always kept a Betta and some shrimp in my quarantine tank, to keep the cycle established). BTW, Amano Shrimp will get along just fine without algae, if you want to start with them (mine are always snatching the food I put in the tank for my bottom feeders, and running off with it--they can tote around some surprisingly large pieces of food).
Also, I wouldn't worry about snails, since Assassin Snails are readily available now, and just a couple will take care of any problem. I just re-read a good article in my 2014 Aquarium USA magazine: "Shelled Assassins of Freshwater Aquaria" by Rus Wilson. I sure wish they had been available back when I had my Malaysian Trumpet Snail invasion--I had to resort to removing them from my (55G) tank by hand, night, after night, after night.... And hold off on the algae-eating fish (etc) till things get established, so that there is at least a little something for them to graze on.
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Post by Carl on Jun 29, 2015 9:41:43 GMT -5
Many Plants and algae can assimilate ammonia and ammonium directly for the biosynthesis, this can slow or impede development of nitrifying bacteria. Dead leaves will also partially fuel any bacteria that are present. There is no fixed time on how long nitrifying bacteria will live without being fed, as there are many variables. With a new tank, there is likely little bio load and so without introduction or fuel/food, development will be impeded. This said, as noted by Angelminx, if new plants are added with roots and more so with some soil, this will bring in some nitrifying bacteria. You could then add a very small amount of fish food slurry to feed the bacteria until fish are added www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.htmlCarl |
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anti
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Posts: 139
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Post by anti on Jun 29, 2015 9:49:09 GMT -5
considering plants from www plants com. thats the site that carl recommended. seeding will come crom seeded biological media. this is a discus tank only and not interested in community fish or snails. i just dont know how long the bacteria will live without something feeding it occasionally. maybe ill stop looking for the answer and just dose with ammonia every now and then
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anti
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Posts: 139
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Post by anti on Jun 29, 2015 9:52:23 GMT -5
considering plants from www plants com. thats the site that carl recommended. seeding will come crom seeded biological media. this is a discus tank only and not interested in community fish or snails. i just dont know how long the bacteria will live without something feeding it occasionally. maybe ill stop looking for the answer and just dose with ammonia every now and then or like carl just said; fishfood
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Post by Carl on Jun 29, 2015 12:21:02 GMT -5
considering plants from www plants com. thats the site that carl recommended. seeding will come crom seeded biological media. this is a discus tank only and not interested in community fish or snails. i just dont know how long the bacteria will live without something feeding it occasionally. maybe ill stop looking for the answer and just dose with ammonia every now and then Seeding from your established Discus tank is a good idea and the method I would choose were it my aquarium. However I would prefer a pinch of dissolved fish food added daily over pure ammonia for maintenance of your bacteria Carl |
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anti
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Posts: 139
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Post by anti on Jun 29, 2015 14:13:08 GMT -5
well noted. thank you
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