Jump to content
Top Shelf Aquatics

I'm doing a fishless cycle, question...


jshev

Recommended Posts

I bought pure ammonia. The ingredients however are pure ammonia and surfacant. I read that the surfactant is like a bonding agent and helps the ammonia remain in a liquid form. Does this sound accurate to those of you experienced? I searched all over for pure ammonia and this was the only one I found that didn't have fragrance or other ingredients.
Well, I hope it's good to use cause I used it once already to get my ammonia level up to a little over 1ppm. I'm going to test it today and see where it's at. I seeded my tank with live sand and bio-spira.
Ok thanks

Link to comment
vegasgundog

Ive never used ammonia in my tank, but surfacant is what makes soap bubble. I would not put that in an aquarium. I could be wrong other people could chime in.

Link to comment

Well I used about a half a tablespoon I won't use anymore but something if you water changes could fix ?

Ive never used ammonia in my tank, but surfacant is what makes soap bubble. I would not put that in an aquarium. I could be wrong other people could chime in.

correction is it something a few water changes can fix
Link to comment
Elizabeth94

What you want is pure ammonia. Take the bottle, shake it up, and if it doesn't foam thats a sign that there is no surfactant in it (which is what you want). You also want something that isn't dyed and doesn't have scents to it. Just 100% plain, pure ammonia.

 

Do not use one with surfactant.

 

Do you have an Ace Hardware near you? They sell ammonia that is perfect for fishless cycling.


 

Link to comment

What you want is pure ammonia. Take the bottle, shake it up, and if it doesn't foam thats a sign that there is no surfactant in it (which is what you want). You also want something that isn't dyed and doesn't have scents to it. Just 100% plain, pure ammonia.

 

Do not use one with surfactant.

 

Do you have an Ace Hardware near you? They sell ammonia that is perfect for fishless cycling.

 

OK so I did use about a half a teaspoon my tank is cycling and over 24 hour. The ammonia went down to zero in nitrite went way up. So I'm not going to use that ammonia anymore but will it have long-term effects on my tank? Will several water changes fix it?
Link to comment
Elizabeth94

OK so I did use about a half a teaspoon my tank is cycling and over 24 hour. The ammonia went down to zero in nitrite went way up. So I'm not going to use that ammonia anymore but will it have long-term effects on my tank? Will several water changes fix it?

 

 

I would think that a few big water changes should be okay. Replace any filter media that you were running.

Link to comment

also, I never saw a critical distinction made here so far

 

your rock

 

was it bone dry white rock

 

 

or coralline covered live rock with pods, worms, coralline

 

this determines if you should use ammonia at all. the sand may be digesting what you've added so far, we need to know the type of rock you started with to know if they need cycling.

Link to comment

also, I never saw a critical distinction made here so far

 

your rock

 

was it bone dry white rock

 

 

 

or coralline covered live rock with pods, worms, coralline

 

this determines if you should use ammonia at all. the sand may be digesting what you've added so far, we need to know the type of rock you started with to know if they need cycling.

My rock was bone dry.

Should I wait till my tank is cycled before I do water changes to get the detergent out ?

Link to comment

I would remove it first, its not a wrecker after correction but since it takes time to clear we can start now. Any bac you lodged onto surfaces wont mind the rip water change, or filtration to get it out, they'll jus wait/pause and resume building numbers as your ammonia stays 1 or so ppm while you add bac, and wait a few weeks.

Link to comment

Ok. So first off/ I already had carbon filter, plus filter floss in my tank. So hopefully that helped keep the detergent from spreading.

I did a small water change about 20 percent. Than I did a large water change about 80 percent of my tanks water. I left the carbon filters in there but I replaced the filter floss.

I just added ammonia, this time it is pure for sure.

So do you guys think I will be in the clear? could the detergent cause problems in the future

 

I would remove it first, its not a wrecker after correction but since it takes time to clear we can start now. Any bac you lodged onto surfaces wont mind the rip water change, or filtration to get it out, they'll jus wait/pause and resume building numbers as your ammonia stays 1 or so ppm while you add bac, and wait a few weeks.

 

 

Throwing a bunch of carbon in wouldn't be a bad idea, won't help cycle but could get out surfactants.

 

 

 

 

I would think that a few big water changes should be okay. Replace any filter media that you were running.

 

? FYI once my tank has fully cycled I will do one more water change and replace all my filters.

Link to comment
Elizabeth94

I think you will be okay. You did your water changes, changed the old floss, put some new carbon in. Now that you have pure ammonia dose that to 2ppm and continue your cycle. After it is cycled do a large water change and I think you will be all set. Thats what I would do if it were my tank.

 

Keep us posted when you are finally ready to add critters! :happy:


 

 

? FYI once my tank has fully cycled I will do one more water change and replace all my filters.

Link to comment

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recommended Discussions

×
×
  • Create New...