Getting started with planting

[sSjey]

I've got both types of snails in my tanks and I've never had an issue with them taking over. The key is not overfeeding the fish. See, fish don't need a lot of food like we do, they're cold-blooded so they get their temperature from the water. As long as you're mindful of how much you're feeding them, the snails will just do their thing and help clean up the tank.

[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.

Interesting on the water, I'm looking forward to getting my test kit and sorting out my water levels.
I've just looked up angelfish and they're about 4cm in height - do they grow massive or am I missing something?
Also, once my water is cycled, is it best to add all the new fish at once or a few at a time?

[willie32]

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?

Angels grow to about 20-22cm tall as adults, you're probably buying them at 4cm in height as juveniles but they'll outgrow that, they get much bigger.