How to Cycle a Planted Aquarium (Establish the Water)
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Before setting up, sun the water to reduce chlorine, heavy metals and other harmful substances. Fill, soak one day, dump, rinse, refill and start cycling.
Keep the pump running to raise oxygen; give about 11 hours of light daily to grow phytoplankton.
After 2 days add easy plants, add nitrifying bacteria with heavy aeration for 48 hours, keep 4 hours light and 24-hour filtration.
When the water is clear, odorless and daphnia appear, the tank is cycled.