Does plants slowdown BB development during cycling?

I'm currently doing a fishless cycling. The two times that I had to cycle a tank I did it without plants. This time I'm cycling with some Moneyworts and Amazon Swords. I've read that plants will compete with the beneficial bacteria with absorbing ammonia and nitrites. I been cycling for a week now and I noticed my ammonia goes from 1.0PPM in the morning to 0PPM but no traces of nitrites. Are the plants absorbing the ammonia? Will the plants slowdown the developement of growing a colony of beneficial bacteria?

 

It sounds like you've hit the end of your cycle. What are you water parameters?

 

Check nitrates.

 

It sounds like you've hit the end of your cycle. What are you water parameters?

Check nitrates.

I will check nitrates when I get home. The reason why I didn't for nitrates was I didn't think that I could of cycled my tank in only a week. The last time I cycled a tank it took over 2 months

 

While it is true that plants do use ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate as nutrients this does not slow down BB colonies. BB colonies increase and decrease according to the need for them. I have cycled with lots of plants in my tank but never seen this cause a problem, in my case I believe it enhanced the cycle. As others have already asked, you need to post your water parameters, what is your nitrates.

 

Here's the results. I dosed the ammonia to 2.0PPM this morning, it seems to be at 1.0PPM now.

To add my tap water nitrates is 0PPM. When is it safe to do a water change?

 

Looks to me like your cycle is well on its way, but it has not finished yet. Your nitrite is reading zero, with about 20+ nitrate. Its always possible to read 0 nitrites with something showing for nitrate.

When you see zero ammonia, then add some more ammonia to strengthen your cycle. I did this twice after finishing the cycle on my tank, but I use liquid ammonia which is way better then fish food, etc. After adding ammonia wait until it clears up again, then you will know for sure if your cycle has finished.

 

Looks to me like your cycle is well on its way, but it has not finished yet. Your nitrite is reading zero, with about 20+ nitrate. Its always possible to read 0 nitrites with something showing for nitrate.

When you see zero ammonia, then add some more ammonia to strengthen your cycle. I did this twice after finishing the cycle on my tank, but I use liquid ammonia which is way better then fish food, etc. After adding ammonia wait until it clears up again, then you will know for sure if your cycle has finished.

I'll continue to dose ammonia at 2.0PPM until they can reduce it to 0PPM within a 24 hour period, but how high should I let the nitrates get before I need to do a water change?

 

I'll continue to dose ammonia at 2.0PPM until they can reduce it to 0PPM within a 24 hour period, but how high should I let the nitrates get before I need to do a water change?

I was asking the same question i have a lot of floaters in my tank, they are nutrient munchers i never get a sign of nitrate or nitrite. So its pretty normal in your case.

 

Without fish I would not worry about Nitrates as much at this time as it is not detrimental. Feeding and strengthening your bb is the main objective. Big 90% WC just before you add fish.

 

I'll continue to dose ammonia at 2.0PPM until they can reduce it to 0PPM within a 24 hour period, but how high should I let the nitrates get before I need to do a water change?

At this point because you are doing a fishless cycle, the nitrates really don't mean much. Don't worry about that unless the nitrates get very very high, or you add fish. Or you can always use those nitrates to water your potted plants, flowers, etc. Aquarium water is super fuel for these plants due to the nitrates.

Get some plastic five gallon buckets with lids from Homedepot or Lowes, save your aquarium water in these and give some to your family members and friends to let them water their flowers, plants etc. Then step back and be amazed at how fast these plants will grow.

 

Glad I'm making progress so fast. I was surprised to see nitrates in little as 2 weeks. I guess there was some beneficial bacteria hidden in the plants or I got a good batch of Tetra Safe start plus. lol.