Fishless cycling question

[GBG]

I can't seem to find "pure" ammonia, i.e., ammonia with no additives like lemon etc. Can I use ammonia with additives, or will that sabatoge the effort? Thanks.

 

[Jesse]

Don't use lemon scented or detergent ammonia. Any drug store should have plenty of "pure" ammonia solution. I've never had a problem finding it.

 

[dr_sudz]

The additives could kill your fish, its best to go with the pure stuff. Or you could just pee in your tank. It would only need the one treatment.

 

[Ang]

If you really cant find any at all, (which would be strange)

You can try sticking food in the tank, decomposing food also creates ammonia.

 

[cichlid savage]

Just plain ammonia should be easy to find. When i did a fishless cycle i used a piece of market shrimp and a smelt to create the ammonia. It's a thought.

 

[zennzzo]

Get the stuff called "clear" ammonia find it at your grocery store where the cleanning supplies are at near the glass cleaner...A good test to see if it is clear is to SHAKE the bottle...if it foams up, no go, if it stays liquid with no bubbles it is all good.
I went 4-5 drops per 10 gallons till my nitrites were measuarable then I backed it down to 2-3 drops till the ammonia and nitrites were at 0 ppm and my nitrates were measurable...took 10 days to have my fishless 135gallon tank was ready to go...Zero fish loss and crystal clear H20...~Z

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-fishless-cycling.htm try here fo more tips.

 

[GBG]

Thanks guys, I'll keep looking for the pure stuff.

 

[Dr Joe]

And the soaps will kill the algae your trying to grow & contaminate the filter so nothing else will grow.

 

[zennzzo]

You're certianly welcome!