I know everyone but me loves plants, but the nice thing about media is that you don't have to worry about the bacteria dying. I know I know, no one has plants die on them.... Too, not everyone keeps live plants. Transferring media is something that ANYONE can do.
Its true. I agree with you and Tolak - transferring bacteria (however you get it from point a to b) is the
only way to instantly cycle a tank.
I like to use plants as a kind of 'insurance.' A backup juuuuust in case. . . I learned during my first (and only) didn't-know-better fish-in cycle that plants can do a world of good in dropping the toxin levels dramatically, but if they aren't healthy and thriving, they only add to the problem. . .
And people
do have plants die on them all the time! At this point I'm transferring plants and media from established tanks, so I know they'll do well in my new setups - and the plants themselves carry bacteria with them, too ^.^
I've seen a lot of people start tanks
only using plants to remove toxins until the bacteria develops. I've seen this method work, too (usually in smaller, lightly stocked setups, like betta tanks). But too often I've seen it fail, and a newly stocked and planted tank dropped into a full-on cycle. . . this has happened to some of our planting gurus around here, people who know their stuff - so I think this is something that shouldn't be done by someone new to plants.
I've read about there being competition between plants and bacteria for the same food source, but I've never seen anything in my tanks that show this is true. . . I'm sure some sort of a balance is created, but plants 'sleep' at night, too. . . when my power failed for 5 days last summer (no light no photosynthesis from plants) my tank was stable throughout. So the bacteria IS in there, in spite of the green. . .
lol, sorry! Fun subject. I love to hear what people think about this one - looks like your poll (before it broke *pokes*) is showing that most of us are in agreement so far. . .
. . can't wait for that 125, J! I'd put the canister for IT on the another tank for a month or so, then just move it over to the new setup. . . 's gonna be awesome-sauce!