Bacteria Life

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Thanks for this. How do I calculate the 1ppm for a 180g tank? Never done that before. And should I do this daily, once a week,etc?

There is a way to calculate it out using a dilution equation but the most simple way is just to add a bit then test the water. Add about a capful at a time and test. when I did my last fishless cycle it was a 30 gallon and I think one squirt out of an eye dropper got it close to the 4ppm.

The poster above offered good advice on the 2ppm I only have experience starting a new colony then dropping fish in as soon as the cycle was done.

You'll probably end up adding ammonia daily. I think the accepted method of determining if a tank is fully cycled is when the bacteria can convert 4ppm ammonia to nitrate in 24 hours. So the 2ppm should be converted in the same amount of time.

It's also important to understand that your current level of bacteria was enough to support your rhom with feeding, waste production, and other factors considered. If you stock the tank higher right away you won't have enough bacteria for a completely cycled tank. If you see yourself immediately stocking the tank higher then it was for a single rhom then go ahead and dose the ammonia up to 4ppm and your bacteria count will increase to account for the higher ammonia levels. If I understand it correctly, 4ppm ammonia corresponds to 24 hours of waste production for a 100% stocked tank of any given size as the 4ppm is relative to tank size. For instance 4ppm ammonia in a 20 gallon tank is a lower total volume of ammonia than 4ppm ammonia in a 180 gallon.
 
One more tidbit to consider as well. The bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite grow much fast than the ones that convert nitrite to nitrate so if you decide to stock heavier and plan to increase your bacteria count through ammonia dosage, be aware that you'll need to check nitrite levels as well. In a fully cycled tank both the 4ppm ammonia must convert to nitrate within the 24 hours with zero nitrite at the end. Keep in mind if you stock smaller fish that don't require your current level of bacteria then all you must worry about for now is feeding/maintaining that colony of bacteria.
 
Thanks for this. How do I calculate the 1ppm for a 180g tank? Never done that before. And should I do this daily, once a week,etc?
I use the ammonia in the link that I posted. It comes with a built in dropper and you dose 1 drop per gallon and it will bring the ammonia to 2ppm.
 
I will be restocking with one fish that will most likely be smaller, so just maintaining is fine.

I use the ammonia in the link that I posted. It comes with a built in dropper and you dose 1 drop per gallon and it will bring the ammonia to 2ppm.

My question is how long the bacteria live though? I will see if I can do one day shipping on this stuff but I am guessing I need to get something in the tank asap.
 
I will be restocking with one fish that will most likely be smaller, so just maintaining is fine.

I use the ammonia in the link that I posted. It comes with a built in dropper and you dose 1 drop per gallon and it will bring the ammonia to 2ppm.

My question is how long the bacteria live though? I will see if I can do one day shipping on this stuff but I am guessing I need to get something in the tank asap.
 
In the meantime you can throw some fish food or a shrimp or something in there to keep them fed until you get ammonia. It's a method that is tried and tested I just like to control my variables more carefully when possible also pure ammonia won't foul the tank like a decomposing shrimp can.
 
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Quickest method is to just chuck in whatever you'd feed the rhom, as it's all going the same place; I.e. the water. Until you can get ammonia, then do that.
 
I will be restocking with one fish that will most likely be smaller, so just maintaining is fine.



My question is how long the bacteria live though? I will see if I can do one day shipping on this stuff but I am guessing I need to get something in the tank asap.
Not sure... Hopefully there will be enough left.
 
If some died they will repopulate. Your still going to have some left even though they do die off without food. Just toss the food or something in there tonight to keep some going in the meantime.
 
If some died they will repopulate. Your still going to have some left even though they do die off without food. Just toss the food or something in there tonight to keep some going in the meantime.

Threw some food in there tonight. Thinking of picking up a new fish this weekend so I'll probably just get some convicts to get met through til then.
 
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