New NPT, no fish - El Natural

davemonkey · 10-14-2009, 02:44 PM

I just set up a new NPT but I don't have any fish in it yet. I know I can stock it up immediately, but how long can I wait before things get bad (no fish waste to feed fish...plants eventually suffer from defficiencies... )?

The reason I ask is that I'm waiting on a group order and want to know if I should put some temporary inhabitants in there. If I don't will the plants start to fade out quickly? Or do I have plenty time with ammonia, etc. from the Organic substrate?

-Dave

oldpunk78 · 10-14-2009, 02:56 PM

i suppose if you dose the tank, you could go fish-less indefinitely. i don't know how long you could go for with out adding any ferts though.

dwalstad · 10-14-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davemonkey

The reason I ask is that I'm waiting on a group order and want to know if I should put some temporary inhabitants in there. If I don't will the plants start to fade out quickly? Or do I have plenty time with ammonia, etc. from the Organic substrate?
Dave

Depending on the soil, I think you have plenty of time. The organic matter in something like Miracle Grow Organic Choice Potting Mix will decompose releasing nutrients for plants for, I would guess, 2-3 months. If the substrate is bubbling, its releasing nutrients.

davemonkey · 10-15-2009, 04:30 AM

Thanks for the replies.

oldpunk78, yeah I kinda want ot avoid ferts as much as possible (except MAYBE an occasional pinch of KH2PO4 for the Marsilea carpet). My goal was to take my tank from high-tech/high-maint to low maint/NPT.

dwalstad, that is encouraging info. Yep, I went with the Organic Choice Miracle Grow. I've seen it pop up enough times on the forum that I felt I should use that one, hands-down.