Shaina

<<noob warning>> :P

Hello all. I am planning to start a 70-75gal freshwater aquarium in a few months, and would like it to be a planted aquarium since they are gorgeous and so beneficial to the fish. I am aiming for a low-light system since they seem to be easier to maintain, less costly (especially important since I'm bound to make mistakes starting), and the fish species I'm looking at seem to prefer low lighting.

I read Isabella's thread on low-light planted aquariums for beginners (amazing btw), and I'm been browsing plantgeek.com, but I'm wondering (we finally get to the question!): when starting a tank like this, from scratch, is it better to start with the plants and get them established, or start with fish then add the plants later when fish waste has worked its way into the substrate as additional plant food? What are the benefits of starting one way over the other, or is one of them simply a really bad idea?

On the other hand I suppose I could go through the first cycle, then add the hardier fish. After a while, add the plants, then later still the more delicate species.

Thanks in advance...sorry for the long post.

Butterfly

It's really better if you add fish and plants at the same time . Plantgeek.net is a fabulous plant site
Carol

Shaina

Oops, *.net (I just followed the link), my bad!

So wait out the first cycle, then add a few hardier plants and fish, let it settle down again, then add more, ,etc., until you reach your desired stock level?

Butterfly

After it cycles I usually stuff the tank full of plants and add my fish load gradually but you don't have to separate the addition of plants and fish. You could even add plants while its cycling if you would like, it won't hurt the plants at all.
carol

Shaina

Great, thanks so much!

griffin

however, depending on your fish/plant load, you might not get nitrates at all (silent cycle). just something to watch out for and not be too worried if you get unusual nitrogen readings.