RE: New Tank - Jack

["Kinney, Travis" <kinney at pdtarchs_com>]

Like the recent posts have said, it isn't that important for you to
introduce bacteria to get a jump start on colonization in a PLANTED tank. If
your new tank will be predominantly fish, then yes, buying bacteria, or
using gravel wash from someone else's tank will speed the cycling along. If
you tank is going to be planted and have some fish then it may never cycle.
You might spend money on the bacteria, only to starve it, because your
plants are sucking up all the available NH3/NH4. I'm just learning this
stuff too, so you should wait for some other posts. I just started a
10-gallon tank about 4 weeks ago with glosso, hair grass, riccia, crypts,
micro-sword and 9-baby neon tetras. Water has been crystal clear the entire
time. I do have high output lighting, co2, and add fert. No sign of the tank
cycling. My 29-gallon is a different story!