Does cycling damage plants?

1138 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by PaulG, Dec 17, 2010

PaulG

Discussion Starter · Dec 1, 2010

I've been cycling for a while now and some plants seem to be melting, all were growing fine beforehand.

Does the process of fishless cycling potentially damage plants? I know they will take in nitrates, but not sure what too much ammonia can do?

If this isn't the case, I'm doing something else wrong.

Tank is 6g fluval edge, black gravel with API root tabs, tpn plus, 2 upgraded LEDS and 26w 6500k CF bulb.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

EntoCraig

· #2 · Dec 1, 2010

Certain sensitive plants may melt, some will regardless on initial planting, but most seem to hold up just fine when cycling.

PaulG

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 1, 2010

Ok thanks.

The aunubias don't seem fazed. I have some crypts in, some leaves are metling but there's also new growth. I assume this is kinda normal.

EntoCraig

· #4 · Dec 1, 2010

Yes I swear crypts will melt if you look at them wrong!

You may notice some algae growing on the Anubias while the water is imbalanced, but once the cycle is complete it should clear up.

helgymatt

· #5 · Dec 1, 2010

Good question - someone may be able to answer better than me. I do know nitrites can be toxic to land plants so I suspect they same could be true to aquatic plants. However, the toxicity is usually in the root zone, and I would not expect there to be much nitrite in the root zone in an aquarium.

I bet Diana Walstad's Ecology of Planted Aquarium would shed some more light on this. I'll see what I can find.

PaulG

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 1, 2010

EntoCraig said:
Yes I swear crypts will melt if you look at them wrong!

You may notice some algae growing on the Anubias while the water is imbalanced, but once the cycle is complete it should clear up.

Yep quite a bit of brown algae, expected that during the cycle.

plantbrain

· #7 · Dec 1, 2010

Why would you cycle a planted tanks??

Think about it, what do plants use as fertilizer?
There's never a need to cycle any planted tank.

Roots and plants are loaded with bacteria and they themselves directly remove NH4 and NO3 at low levels, at high levels, NH4 is quite toxic and is used as a herbicide by farmers as well as a pre planting fertilizer.

Regards,
Tom Barr

PaulG

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 1, 2010

plantbrain said:
Why would you cycle a planted tanks??

Think about it, what do plants use as fertilizer?
There's never a need to cycle any planted tank.

Roots and plants are loaded with bacteria and they themselves directly remove NH4 and NO3 at low levels, at high levels, NH4 is quite toxic and is used as a herbicide by farmers as well as a pre planting fertilizer.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Just an overly cautious beginner

QC Discus

· #9 · Dec 1, 2010

Cyceling

Plants are one of the BEST ways to cycle a tank in my opinion .
As long as they are from a good source they will add all the good bacteria you need to cycle a tank. Speeds up the proses and helps with the amonia and nitrite removal.

kevmo911

· #10 · Dec 1, 2010

And yes, crypts will melt if you so much as swear around them. But they're like small children - they bounce.

PaulG

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 1, 2010

Thanks everyone. The cycle is almost complete so should be adding fish very soon.

Home from work, there's definite new growth on the crypts so not as worried now.

Also just added a nano co2 set, but managed to break the bubble counter. Ooops.

EntoCraig

· #12 · Dec 1, 2010

PaulG said:
Thanks everyone. The cycle is almost complete so should be adding fish very soon.

Home from work, there's definite new growth on the crypts so not as worried now.

Also just added a nano co2 set, but managed to break the bubble counter. Ooops.

Awesome!

Oh, and you could make a bubble counter easy, or buy one of ebay for cheep.

plantbrain

· #13 · Dec 1, 2010

PaulG said:
Just an overly cautious beginner

Ask this over at UKAPS forum and see what type of response you get there.

Regards,
Tom Barr

The Plantman

· #14 · Dec 1, 2010

plantbrain said:
Ask this over at UKAPS forum and see what type of response you get there.

Regards,
Tom Barr

OMG another forum! I already have no life! Good greef!

PaulG

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 2, 2010

plantbrain said:
Ask this over at UKAPS forum and see what type of response you get there.

Regards,
Tom Barr

They scare me!

This forum seems better for beginners.

PaulG

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 17, 2010

Turns out I was adding way too much ammonia. My tank is now cycled and today I added 5 neon tetras.

I have a feeling that amount of ammonia was damaging the plants, shall see if growth improves from now on.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.