New Tank With ADA AS Need Cycle?

[csmith]

I understand a cycle isn't needed with planted tanks when packed heavily with plants. Is this the case with AS, however? If I understand correctly it is the substrate itself that secretes NH4, so is it wise when using this substrate to wait before adding fauna or can the plants keep up?

 

[argnom]

Cycle...

To tell you the truth, I have mixed feelings about that stuff. I haven't used it for several years and never had any problems. As far as I'm concerned, enough bacteria hitch a ride on the plants to colonize the tank/filter pretty well and rather quickly.

I find it hard to understand how bacteria can be kept in "suspended animation" in those bottles at room temperature for long periods of time anyway.

Didn't they use to keep those in the refrigerator when I started keeping tanks many moons ago? :gw

Cheers!

 

[csmith]

I'm talking about ADA Aqua Soil.

 

[argnom]

oops, my bad... I misread "a cycle" for just "cycle" as in Hagen Cycle...

I need to sleep more...

 

[detlef]

Hi,

IME AS will not pose any issues on fauna should you choose to plant heavily from the beginning, seed the new soil with a handful or two of used substrate and have your filter already established. It will help avoiding issues further more when you do a water change of 30-50% every 2 to 3 days for at least a week. You'll recall this as recommended practice for AS users anyhow. You might also want to introduce some carbon to your filter system for fast removal of any NH4 surplus out the water column.


Regards, Detlef

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

IMO, better safe than sorry and I would do several 50% or > water changes weekly for the first 6-8 weeks. I have heard too many reports of NH4 leaching from ADA to assume it will be okay.

Detlef gave great advice!