Flow

Hi, so I've got water in my tank!

Plants in, started with approx. 30 or so, looking ok to good. One or two seem to be 'adjusting' and not initially thriving, buts its only 5 days or so. Didn't get a huge ammonia spike, did a water change of 50% after 3 days (according to Tropica). Have started the cycle, adding ammonia etc.

My question is this: I have a wide outlet flow, recommended for plant growth. Its about 1/5 along from one end of the tank, pointing down to the far end on an angle; this leaves a small area of water that isn't get moved too much, just as it circulates back around. No problem for the plants, but will this be ok when I get fish?

thanks 

I think I mean a small brackish area....is this ok?

You mean a small stagnant area, brackish means slightly salty 


As long as there is some movement, albeit only a small amount, this should be OK. It's when there is no movement whatsoever that it isn't good. This can occur behind a thick area of planting as the plants screen the water flow, a bit like a thick hedge screening wind.

@sjames Please don't add ammonia if you have fish in the tank already ! You are starting to do a fish-in cycle and the fish themselves are the source of ammonia. If you try to get anywhere near 3ppm the fish will kark it (@Andys101 did I get that right? )
Have a look at Sue's sticky for the full detail
http://forums.thinkfish.co.uk/fishtank-filtration-and-cycling/fish-in-cycling-with-fish-how-to-do-it/

Sorry, sorry I just re-read the post - 'them' referred to plants.... Continue as you are, well done !

It's fine, folks - it's a fishless cycle being undertaken, judging by this and previous posts.

A couple of pics of my weeks work

I've never done a fishless cycle with plants so I'm not 100% sure. I think it is fine to not do water changes unless the plants start looking a bit iffy.
However, I'm sure I've read somewhere that some plant species don't cope well with 3 ppm ammonia. If you find your plants suffering, I would do a water change and add enough ammonia for just 1 ppm. Once the tank is cycled for that amount increase it to 2 until that is cycled, then increase to 3 ppm. 1 ppm shouldn't harm the plants, and once there enough bacteria to remove 1 ppm the higher levels of ammonia won't be in the tank nearly as long.


I would advise you to monitor your pH as well as ammonia & nitrite. Tannins make the water acidic so a pH drop is possible. The bacteria we want to grow become dormant at low pH. To increase it in case of pH drop, either a water change or use bicarbonate of soda - the latter is for use when water changes alone can't cope.

Tropica recommend the water changes on big ammonia spikes, which I haven't had yet.

That sounds like they mean fish-in cycling where you do get spikes - and you have to do water changes for the fish as well as plants.

I would definitely use a lower dose of ammonia initially if the plants start to suffer.




It's your KH that will affect the pH during cycling. I have pH 7.5 but a KH of only 3 to 4. I had a pH crash during cycling which is how I know it can happen. If you have soft water your KH will likely be low, but if you have hard water the KH should be high as well.

A couple of pics of my weeks work

Tank looks very good - well done on your week's work!

I can see the image of the tank in four months time in my mind.  I think it's going to look stunning.  Where's my time machine?  I want to see it now! 

Thanks for the encouragement. I wanted to leave a 'clear' area, so didn't want the whole tank covered in plants.

Marquis, the silent cycling; this is something Tropica promote, and they have a start up service phone app, which is very helpful. They said after 3 days to add algae eating amano shrimp. I'm doing an ammonia cycle instead. Although I will shorten the cycle as the plants are certainly growing.

I think I have a handle on it. Did a 60% water change yesterday to remove a little of the tannin. I am getting quite quick algae growth, particularly on the gravel and wood.