Drift wood and plants advice needed for RTG tank

[Aquaponicsguy]

Hi,

We currently have an RTG which is around 8 inches along with a high fin spotted pleco in a bare tank. pH is in 7.5 range and the tank is currently still to cycle in its full efficiency (stability treatment for a week is done a few days back)
I was wondering if it is a good idea to have a drift wood with anubias setup and need advise. Is it too early or is it better to keep it bare?

Also attaching a not so great photo shot with my phone of our Aro. Been feeding a mix of hikari, azoo and prawns (already hand trained...Yeah!)

Thanks for all your advice
The Aquaponics Guy!

 

[Gourami Swami]

Hello,
as long as the driftwood is 100% aquarium safe, putting the wood and anubias in the tank won't have any effect on the fish or cycle.
Why you have such a beautiful and expensive fish in a tank that is not cycled, is beyond me. I would not have put the fish in until the cycle was complete, stability or no.

 

[Aquaponicsguy]

Hello,
as long as the driftwood is 100% aquarium safe, putting the wood and anubias in the tank won't have any effect on the fish or cycle.
Why you have such a beautiful and expensive fish in a tank that is not cycled, is beyond me. I would not have put the fish in until the cycle was complete, stability or no.

Many thanks Gourami,

Wont the driftwood have an effect though a mild one on the pH. Actually, my query was on the pH side. More specifically, how soon does driftwood act on the pH more from a theory perspective as last thing is a change in parameters at this point and want the pH where it should be for microbial colonies to thrive!

Anubias is something thats not tried before, do RTGs like em in the tank?

Please note that I mentioned that the tank is not cycling in its full efficiency. The fish was introduced with cycling process initiated and stabilized in a 'fishless' cycling process. As the tank is now close to 3 weeks, hoping to see 0 ammonia and nitrites at all times. We test the water everyday currently and keep a log

 

[Gourami Swami]

How much the pH is affected depends on how much tannins the driftwood leaches into the water. Some woods will have more of an effect than others. Generally, the effects are negligible. I wouldn't worry about crazy pH swings from driftwood.
And ok, if you are reading 0 nitrite and 0 ammonia theres nothing to worry about. I was under the impression this fish was in a fresh tank.

 

[duanes]

If the driftwood has been in an established tank, it may actually help the cycle, because it would already have a biofilm of beneficial bacteria (unless its been sitting dry) and the Anubis would also have been colonized.
And if the wood has already been in previous tank for an extended period, it may not effect pH in any way whatsoever.