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I want to start a 10 gallon planted tank for a betta and an adf. I want to plant some javamoss and javafern. I was wondering if i should cycle the tank after or before i put the plants in? Also should i get sand and plant the plants into that and then cover it with a gravel substrate??

Before or after either is ok. Although plants are efficient ammonia consumers so they may get to the ammonia before the bacteria has a chance to get it so may slow down the cycle some.

As for the moss and fern neither of them should be planted in the gravel. Both should be attached to rocks or diftwood. You can do this by using black thread or fishing line to tie them down, after a few weeks they will be firmly attached and you can remove whatever you used to tie them down. Java Fern can be put in the gravel as long as you only bury the roots do not cover the rhizome (think branchy thing between the roots and the leaves) but will look and grow better attached to something.

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Thanks, I will probably add the javafern after the cycling is over.