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Well im about to start my first real attempt at a tank. I was wondering that when i start to cycle the tank, should i start with the plants in the tank or should i add them later when the nitrate cycle really starts? Im guessing before, but would like to be sure. Thanks

Go ahead and add them as soon as you like. Plants actually love the ammonia and nitrite that bother fish so much.

One thing though, some plants don't like pH or GH changes, so if you're going to play around with the water chemistry, do it before you add the plants.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Carl

If you will using live plants, do set-up the aquarium with plants and cycle the aquarium with plants. I find that this is much easier than attempting to do a planted aquarium after filling the glass with water.

When I set-up the tank, I do a rough layout on paper of hardscape and plants before I even add substrate to the aquarium. Using the layout as a guideline I then:
1. Add substrate and water to just dampen the substrate,
2. Sculpt the substrate from high at the back of the aquarium to lower at the front of the aquarium,
3. Position hardscape of rocks and driftwood,
- I generally have attached bolbitis, anubias or java fern to the driftwood
4. Plant the wet substrate,
5. Place a shallow soup bowl or plate in the aquarium and gently begin filling the aquarium by directing the water stream onto the soupbowl.

The soupbowl prevents your fill water from disturbing the substrate as you begin to fill the aquarium. As the water rises, you can see if you need to reposition plants.

A second benefit is that the plants have an oppurtunity to take root before stocking your fish. During the cycling period, the plants will generally have a nominal impact on levels of ammonia and nitrites although recent studies indicate that some aquatic plants will directly uptake those compounds.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Well thanks for the info guys. Found a good fish store close bye, but not really liking the selection of plants they got. Thinking about starting with a few of theres, but getting a few delivered.

[font color="#C00000"]you can definetly add plants on the first day totally.... they wouldnt be bothered they love amonia and nitrate... if yoou have the proper lighting and everything do it![/font]