Missing Ammonia ?

[MortiferousSoul]

First a little background.

I am currently cycling a tank with the fish in my sig. I got an amazon plant about 2 weeks ago. I recently added some new light and a diy co2 system and the plant seems to be growing very well.

Last time i checked the ammonia i had about.5 (2 days ago). Now i checked it today and the ammonia was 0 (checked it twice). So naturally i check the nitrites. But lo and behold it to is 0. Is this normal, or is it possible the the plant has sucked up that much ammonia?

 

[Lotus]

The plant is probably sucking up the ammonia, especially if you have good lighting and CO2.

 

[rohnds]

Cycling a planted aquarium.
When cycling the your bacterial colony will grow according to the amount of ammonia and nitrite and even nitrates that is present in your tank. More ammonia, nitrites or nitrates, more bacteria will colonize your bio filter. But if the tank is planted, your planted will consume the nitrogen. And thus it doesn’t give the bio filter a chance to be colonized by bacteria or the bacteria colony to grow.
If the tank is fully planted, it doesn’t (never will) will establish a beneficial bacteria colony. But on the other hand, if your tank is fully planted, your plants are better biological filtration than any other invested. They will consume nitrogen (in NH3, NO2 and NO3) than colony of beneficial bacteria. Thus your tank may already be “cycled”. You nitrite (NO3) level will also be very minimal (lower than non planted tanks).

Rohn

 

[Lotus]

If the tank is fully planted, it doesn’t (never will) will establish a beneficial bacteria colony.

That's really not true. You will have presence of the nitrifying bacteria, in addition to the ammona/nitrite absorption by plants. You can unplant a planted tank, and still have it support fish.

 

[MortiferousSoul]

Will it doesnt matter in either case. Since i found out about fishless cycling after i got fish i wasnt able to do it that way. However i later bought a penguin 150 for the tank. I am fishless cycling that in another tank then im gonna switch out the filters. The gravel in the fishless tank will then colonize the older filter ^_^.

Thanks for the help.

 

[rohnds]

You will have presence of the nitrifying bacteria,

Just curious, How doe the nitrying bacteria establish it's colony in planted tank without a food source, since the plants will consume the NH3 or any N before the bacteria could.

Rohn

 

[MortiferousSoul]

dont know but i tested water today ... Nitrates are present, nitrite 0, ammonia 0.