[flora]

I just read in a magazine that a fully planted tank does not have to be cycled.
Is this true? The article says that the plants will take up the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. If this is so would it be safe to put fish in a newly set up planted tank right away?

 

[gheitman]

I think that exaggerates the case somewhat. I set up a tank recently that is heavily planted and it took about three weeks for the nitrites to disappear. It was populated with some tetras during that time and they didn't appear to be in any distress.

 

[jmhart]

Planted tanks certainly have a shortened cycle time, but it's not immediate. A fully planted tank can be cycled in about 2 weeks

 

[hoppycalif]

The last couple of tanks I have set up were heavily planted and I added fish within a week, with no problems. If the plants are growing, and you aren't using Aquasoil, which leaches ammonia for awhile, the plants will consume the ammonia as soon as it is generated. Aquasoil probably adds more ammonia than the plants can use, at least for a couple of weeks or longer. But water changes take care of that easily.