can i add plants into a tank before it is cycled, or should i wait for it to be coompletely cycled??

Answer 1

You can add them now. Plants aren't affected by the ammonia and nitrite in the way that animals are.

If there are dying leaves, you may want to remove these or they'll add to the ammonia as they decompose.

Once the cycle is complete, the plants will help remove some of the nitrate (nitrate and phosphate are plant fertilizers) produced, but don't count on them for removal of all.

You may want to add small amounts of an iron supplement to help your plants stay healthy - most aquatic systems are deficient in this, but once you have fish, they'll provide most of the elements needed for your plants to grow, as long as you don't plant too heavily.

Answer 2

You don't have to wait for a tank to cycle before adding plants. In fact, it's a good idea to add plants before or while a tank is cycling as they will help the tank cycle faster. Live plants use ammonia and nitrite and nitrate as fertilizer, so they will help reduce the levels and help relieve the stress for any fish you have in the tank while cycling, and depending on where you buy the plants from, they may have beneficial bacteria growing on them if they come from an established tank. When I started my tank I made sure to get my live plants from a friend who was a fish breeder and a good local fish store with cycled tanks, so it helped kick-start my tank's cycle.

Answer 3

You should add the plants now, as long as you keep them healthy and don't let any dead leaves decay in the tank. The plants actually use the nitrogenous wastes produced during the cycling process as fertilizer, so if anything they would help, especially if you have fish in your tank while it is cycling (never a good idea).

Answer 4

Most plants will be fine in a cycling tank, but certain, touchier plants may suffer in cases of EXTREMELY high ammonia. Excessive ammonia in contact with a plant can cause it to "melt". The plant's leaves will appear as though they are melting until you are left with stocky stems. The plant is not dead at this point, and can be regrown later, but for the moment, it will not be terribly attractive.

Soop Nazi

Answer 5

It is best to add them after the cycle has finished because that's when all the nitrates would be showing up. It doesn't really matter as long as they have light and water.