Can I "fishless" Cycle A Tank With Plants In It

[Evad]

1) I always do fishless cycling, but want to get a head start on aquascaping my 180gal tank. Its going to be a lot of work and so I want to play around with it during the 2+ weeks that its cycling. Is this ok to do?


2) Also, once the tank is cycled, how many fish do I need to put in the tank to keep it cycled? Because its so big, does it need more fish? I don't want to rush out an put a ton of fish in it right away. I want to add fish to it slowly as I find exactly what I want. But I also dont want to keep feeding it ammonia.

 

[waterdrop]

1) I always do fishless cycling, but want to get a head start on aquascaping my 180gal tank. Its going to be a lot of work and so I want to play around with it during the 2+ weeks that its cycling. Is this ok to do?


2) Also, once the tank is cycled, how many fish do I need to put in the tank to keep it cycled? Because its so big, does it need more fish? I don't want to rush out an put a ton of fish in it right away. I want to add fish to it slowly as I find exactly what I want. But I also dont want to keep feeding it ammonia.

1) Plants are fine during a fishless cycle - many recommend them.
2) Even though the filter will be ready for a full load, you won't have trouble going with a few and then building up because that base population of bacteria will have been established and will be able to fairly quickly respond and increase as it reacts to more ammonia. You may have small detectable amounts depending on how many new fish you introduce at once but the bio-filter should increase to handle it within a day or so I think.

 

[Rooster]

I waited until the cycle was over before adding plants - based on the fact that the tank is, in essence, sterile until the nitrogen cycle is running... and the plants have no food.
Plus, you dont need the lights on ! LOL

 

[backtotropical]

I waited until the cycle was over before adding plants - based on the fact that the tank is, in essence, sterile until the nitrogen cycle is running... and the plants have no food.

.........other than the ammonia which is the food of choice for many aquatic plants?