I am at the beginning stages of cycling my first tank and I want to add live plants. Should I wait until I have nitrates in the tank to add plants? Nitrates are what the plants need to survive, right? Right now I have no nitrites or nitrates and lots of ammonia (ha ha). If I add the plants now will they die of lack of food?

I have a shameful history of trying (and failing) to keep plants of any sort alive. I have even killed a cactus. I hear aquarium plants are easier but I want to make sure I am doing things correctly.

Carole

oops I guess there is a more appropriate topic for this question

You can go ahead and add plants to a uncycled tank. They will convert ammonia for their needs. They are actually beneficial in an uncycled tank.

I will move this to the appropriate forum