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Cycling a new planted aquarium....add plants before or after cycling??



I have used the same method to start up new tanks for several years
and this has never failed me.

I use Flourite for the substrate and add several smaller plants such
as Vallesneria or miniature swords, anubius, etc. or one or two
mature sword plants. The lighting is controlled by timer for 14
hours. After two days of this I will begin to add the fish and
continue for about 2 weeks before the anticipated full load
of fish are introduced. I have never used filtration of any type
and have used this on tank sizes from 55 down to fives without
ever having to deal with algae. The tanks probably take up to a
month to balance out, but I have never experienced stress for the
fish or lost any plants.

Kent Carpenter