Two more cycling questions

[roghib]

1.) I have a new 90 gallon tank and am in the process of setting it up. I am planning on cycling the tank without fish (If I ever get the pump figured out). I am wanting quite a few plants and am curious if it is considered safe to place plants in tank while doing so. Will pure ammonia hurt them?

2.} I have a small 10 gallon with one recently rescued Angel in it. The tank hasnt had a chance to get cycled and at moment am doing water changes pretty much daily. I know it isnt a great idea and an angel most likely isnt a good choice for doing this but have little choice cuz I am sure the angel was suffering in a super small tank without much circulation. My question here is: Since I am changing water so much I am not obviously seeing any ammonia build up. If I quit with the water changes at what point do I change when it starts to climb....I really dont want to hurt the fish and am convinced it is rough on them from reading earlier posts. But do not want to do daily changes forever and eventually want this tank to be cycled for an isolation tank for the 90g. Am I butting my head up against the wall and just need to see it climb and hope for the best? Unfortunately I dont know anyone who has a tank that can house this fish while I do a tankless cycle on it.

 

[purblind]

I'd avoid putting plants in unless they're really hardy plants. Amazon sword for example or any echonondorus species are pretty hardy. Best bet is to not risk it. If you already have plants, just put them in vase full of dechlorinated tap water and place near a window until the tank's cycled.

For the angel fish, Keep doing what you're doing and get started on that fishless cycle on the 90g and get him in their quick. You could also try to talk to your LFS to see if they'll house him for you. You could also look for an aquarium club in your area and contact them to see if anyone can help.

Good luck.

 

[wataugachicken]

1. don't put plants in the 90g. the ammonia won't hurt them, but the plants will use the ammonia as food, which means that less will be available for the bacteria. also, you want to keep the lights off during a fishless cycle to reduce algae, otherwise your tank will be completely green. algae uses ammonia for food as well.

2. test your water, to get the cycle going faster you can let the ammonia get up to .25 ppm. any higher and do a water change, .25ppm is not toxic to the fish and will allow the bacterial colonies to grow.

 

[Caspar]

I dunno...Even though an Angel is not the best fish for a fish in cycle, I would forego the fishless cycle and set him up in the 90 Gallon with a small school of hardy fish.

The rule of thumb for your ammonia and nitrite is to keep it below .25 during a fish in cycle. With a 90 Gallon tank I doubt that you would run into any problems by going this route.

Take Care and Good Luck!