Getting started with planting

[jaxon7]

I'm thinking of having a lot of plants in my tank, like a jungle, so my fish have plenty of places to hide and feel safe. I want to get the water levels right first, though. If I add lots of plants after, can that mess up the water levels?

[sSjey]

Plants can't mess up your water levels, they actually help keep the water clean.

Are you thinking of adding any invertebrates to the tank, like shrimps or snails - I mean the ones you buy, not the unwanted kind that come on plants?

[jaxon7]

If you're planning to add ammonia to your tank, you'll need to hold off on adding plants until the cycle is complete. Fish produce ammonia continuously, but in small amounts, so it's not the same as a large dose all at once. Some plants can be sensitive to high levels of ammonia, so it's best to wait.

You can cycle your tank with plants, but patience is key. Make sure your plants are actively growing before adding fish. A good way to check is to take a photo of your tank and compare it two weeks later. If you see significant new growth, it's a good sign that your plants are thriving and you can start introducing fish.

When adding fish, do it in small groups and monitor the water for ammonia and nitrite for a week after each addition. If everything stays at zero, you can add the next group. Your plants will have had time to grow more by then too.

Personally, I've had my fair share of struggles with plants. I killed every single one I tried for years. But then I discovered that slow-growing plants attached to decor were the way to go for me. From there, I gradually moved on to planting in the substrate. I've learned that I'm best sticking to 'easy' plants. Tropica's website is a great resource for this - you can filter by difficulty level. I avoid anything in the 'medium' or 'advanced' category.

Honestly, I hadn't given it much thought. I'm more into the fish side of things, but I'm curious - are there any benefits to having shrimp and snails in the tank?

[sSjey]

They can be a nice addition to a tank. I asked because of plants. Plants from the far east are often treated with chemicals that harm shrimps and snails. If you plan on having them, it's safer to buy plants from the EU that are shrimp and snail safe. There are online shops that sell these plants, and some local shops sell EU-grown plants too. Online shops usually have a better plant selection.

[jaxon7]

If you're planning to add ammonia to your tank, you'll need to hold off on adding plants until the cycle is complete. Fish produce ammonia continuously, but in small amounts, so it's not the same as a large dose all at once. Some plants can be sensitive to high levels of ammonia, so it's best to wait.

You can cycle your tank with plants, but patience is key. Make sure your plants are actively growing before adding fish. A good way to check is to take a photo of your tank and compare it two weeks later. If you see significant new growth, it's a good sign that your plants are thriving and you can start introducing fish.

When adding fish, do it in small groups and monitor the water for ammonia and nitrite for a week after each addition. If everything stays at zero, you can add the next group. Your plants will have had time to grow more by then too.

Personally, I've had my fair share of struggles with plants. I killed every single one I tried for years. But then I discovered that slow-growing plants attached to decor were the way to go for me. From there, I gradually moved on to planting in the substrate. I've learned that I'm best sticking to 'easy' plants. Tropica's website is a great resource for this - you can filter by difficulty level. I avoid anything in the 'medium' or 'advanced' category.

Thanks for the heads up, I hadn't considered the shrimp and snail aspect before. I think I lean more towards having shrimps, they seem more appealing to me. I'll keep this in mind when I'm choosing my plants, might have to look into those shrimp-safe options.

[barnicle]

"If you're looking for a good shrimp, I'd go with the Zorchno ones - they're great at cleaning up dead plant bits, leftover food and algae. Nerite snails are pretty popular, but they can be a real pain - those little white eggs they lay are like cement and stick to everything, but at least they won't hatch in freshwater, so that's a bonus."

[barnicle]

I'm finally getting started with cycling my tank, thanks to some great advice from a few of you and my new testing kit. I've also picked up Tetra Safe and ammonia, so I'm all set to begin the process.

Regarding plants, I've got a few questions I'd love to get some input on...

- Will adding plants help speed up the water cycle or make it more efficient?
- I've got a 160 litre tank that's 100x40x40cm - is there a recommended maximum number of plants I can add?
- Are there any plants that are particularly good for beginners, or ones I should avoid?
- My substrate is a mix of sand and small gravel - will that affect my plant choices?

Bettas, in my view, are best kept alone, especially for those new to the hobby. When it comes to choosing fish, knowing your tap water's GH is crucial. Just check your water provider's website, enter your postcode, and you'll get a report. You're looking for hardness levels in German degrees - that's what will help you decide which fish to keep.

[WildFins]

It's really tough to steer clear of those pesky snails when buying live plants, unless you're willing to commit to a super strict, months-long quarantine for each one.

[barnicle]

I'm finally getting started with cycling my tank, thanks to some great advice from a few of you and my new testing kit. I've also picked up Tetra Safe and ammonia, so I'm all set to begin the process.

Regarding plants, I've got a few questions I'd love to get some input on...

- Will adding plants help speed up the water cycle or make it more efficient?
- I've got a 160 litre tank that's 100x40x40cm - is there a recommended maximum number of plants I can add?
- Are there any plants that are particularly good for beginners, or ones I should avoid?
- My substrate is a mix of sand and small gravel - will that affect my plant choices?

Pest snails, like pond and bladder snails, can hitch a ride into your tank on live plants - they're tiny, so you won't even notice 'em at first. Quarantining plants in a separate tank for a few weeks can prevent this, but I never bother. I'm not fussed about a few snails, they do a good job and if you don't overfeed your fish, they won't overpopulate.

[sSjey]

I checked the water hardness for Warrington using United Utilities and it's around 2.2 dH, which is very soft and perfect for neon tetras. However, I have to advise that your tank is too small for angelfish - they require a lot of space and a water depth of at least 45 cm to thrive.

As for bettas, I agree with barnicle that they're best kept alone. Some fish can be quite aggressive towards bettas and nip their fins, while others may not get along with them at all.