Fishless Cycling in a Planted Tank

[Adaptingfate]

Hey guys! I'm getting back into fish-keeping after a few year hiatus. I'm going to be putting together a 75 gallon planted tank for my dad.

I've always done fish-in cycling in the past, but I'd like to try fishless this time around.

What I want to know, is how plants affect the cycling process. Should I wait until the tank is cycled to add plants? Should I add plants first and then start the cycle process?

 

[shellieca]

Yay for your dad! I'd have loved for someone else to do all of the work. LOL. Add plants on day one, they help, some more than others, to cycle a tank & it gives BB another place to grow. Fast growing plants will help more. I'm not a plant expert but I do have them in almost all of my tanks & keep adding more as I go.

 

[Adaptingfate]

Thanks! We used to have a lightly planted 125 gallon that he loved to watch. I'm hoping this will help keep him occupied in his boring retired life! =)

 

[simplicitysarah]

I am also in a cycle now! I am 3wks in and added about 12 plants last week and they really absorbed my nitrates!! They seem to be helping it cycle too!