Can adding substrate slow down a fishless cycle ?

[jonathan]

Can adding substrate slow down a fishless cycle ? Mine is not complete or it is but not fast enough yet. Takes more that 24 hours to complete.

I figure it would do some kind of damage. Should I wait ? I want to create more of a slope in my scape and this would cover the immediate surface area.

[Sake]

Some of the bacteria live on the surface of your substrate so it may slow it down a hair. Saying that, I would add the substrate and anything else you need to now. You don't want to risk putting it in later after you think your cycle is done, only to have to go through a mini cycle.

[HD Blazingwolf]

Likely not, actually it will give more surface area for bacteria to cover and possibly make it faster.

[Sake]

Originally Posted by HD Blazingwolf

Likely not, actually it will give more surface area for bacteria to cover and possibly make it faster.

Hmm I was under the impression that without an UGF the bacteria were mostly on the surface? Wouldn't covering it kill it off? I mean without an UGF there really wouldn't be much flow going underneath the top layer would there? Without that flow the ammonia and oxygen wouldn't get to the bacteria and they would die I thought. Unless there were plants then the roots would provide a bit of oxygen.

[HD Blazingwolf]

its not just the surface layer, if its decent sized gravel there is plenty of flow
dirt and sand are really the most limited as far as internal flow
most of ur upper level substrates have plenty of room, gravel has EXCELLENT flow, but has no realyl benefit to a platned tank

[Sake]

Oh, didn't know that the OP had gravel, but even so how is there flow, just curious is all. I think my idea of flow is wrong, I think of currents when I think of flow.

[HD Blazingwolf]

i dunno what substrate the OP has

but bacteria does not need a high flow to do its work, and actually performs better with slower flow.. it need oxygen more than anything
the bacteria also forms a film which has capillaries to transport what it needs, generally it forms a web with other bactiera and becomes a colony that works together to the same end

believe it or not flow does make it to the bottom of the tank, otherwise it would be a nasty stagnant smelling cesspit everytime u pulled up plants and disturbed the substrate

[Sake]

bacteria also forms a film which has capillaries

I had no idea about that, that's pretty cool. Learn something new today

[HD Blazingwolf]

Originally Posted by Sake

I had no idea about that, that's pretty cool. Learn something new today

THE bacteria in our tank play a HUGE roll in its overall success. i make it a point to learn about them

[jonathan]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm working with fluval stratum as substrate.

[roadmaster]

Originally Posted by jonathan

Can adding substrate slow down a fishless cycle ? Mine is not complete or it is but not fast enough yet. Takes more that 24 hours to complete.

I figure it would do some kind of damage. Should I wait ? I want to create more of a slope in my scape and this would cover the immediate surface area.

I think adding more substrate to the area you wish to slope would not affect the cycling,or colony of bacteria developing on substrate currently.
Were it me,, would not cover all of the substrate.
In my limited expierience,,slopes are hard to keep without some stones,wood.Eventually ,it all seem's to level off unless several inches deep.

[HD Blazingwolf]

fluval before it breaks down and cumbles will have good substrate flow

a good slope technique is to fill a panyhose bag full of gravel. it will help hold the shape of the slope