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Post by crazkat on Nov 14, 2005 14:12:47 GMT -5
Ok, so finding pure(ish) amonia is very difficult which leads to the question, What does everyone use to cycle their tanks if not bottled amonia?
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Post by crazkat on Nov 17, 2005 11:42:15 GMT -5
Is it possible to use the water from my other fish bowl right before a water change to add some amonia to cycle the tank? Also, I've just read another article on fishless cycling and I've just realized (it was a duh) that I can't use a water purifier that gets rid of amonia during the cycling. Does that mean that once the tank is cycled, and I have fish in there, that I shouldn't purify the amonia out of the water that I put into the tank during water changes? Also, how long should I leave tap water out to let the cholorine evaporate?
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Post by amanichen on Nov 17, 2005 14:41:16 GMT -5
What kind (and how many) of fish are going into this tank?
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Post by iemsparticus on Nov 17, 2005 15:19:37 GMT -5
Is it possible to use the water from my other fish bowl right before a water change to add some amonia to cycle the tank? Yes, but it will not give you very much ammonia if you are taking good care of your existing tanks water. The reason being that you need an ammonia concentration of 5-10ppms of ammonia - and you should not have that in your current tank! |
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Post by crazkat on Nov 17, 2005 18:31:02 GMT -5
Well, there are going to be (eventually, not at first- only one at first) probably 4 or 5 fish in the 10 gallon tank. And I found some ammonia (YES!) that's just ammonia and water from a hardware store and I'm going to start cycling. two questions: I'm going to be out of town for 3 days, can I start cycling now, and then do nothing over those 3 days (since I won'r be here) or should I start cycling after I come back? And Should I condiditon the water w/ Aquasafe ( it neutralizes cholorine and heavy metals, and "neutralizes choloramine by breaking down the bond between chlorine and amonia while reducing both the fish-toxic chlorine and ammonia components" but it will not remove amonia from an uncycled, overstocked or under-filtered aquarium) or should I let the chlorine evaporate before starting the cycling? thank you!
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Post by amanichen on Nov 17, 2005 18:43:28 GMT -5
If you're sure that your tap water has chlorine, then just set things up and leave them.
You can put the ammonia in now, and leave it be for a few days. I can't give you an excat measurement, but start with only a little, and get the level up around 5ppm. You'll have to put some ammonia in, and test to see that you have the right level.
Do you have another tank where you can take filter media or gravel from to seed it with?
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Post by crazkat on Nov 17, 2005 18:55:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice amanichen. And no I don't have a cycled tank to take things from to speed up the cycle. Oh, and your video just finished downloading! thanks again for that!
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Post by amanichen on Nov 17, 2005 18:57:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice amanichen. And no I don't have a cycled tank to take things from to speed up the cycle. If you can, go to a local fish store and get a handfull of gravel to help seed your tank with. You can make it easier by putting it inside the filter if you have room. Otherwise just drop it into the tank. |
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Post by crazkat on Nov 21, 2005 16:38:25 GMT -5
Well, I started adding ammonia on Thursday keeping the reading between 4and 5ppm and today I tested for the ph and it's at 8... So basically it's a good thing there are no fish in there. will the high ph slow down the cycling of my tank and the growth of the bacteria? and how do I get it down when i'm ready to put the fish in?
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Post by amanichen on Nov 21, 2005 17:09:38 GMT -5
Well, I started adding ammonia on Thursday keeping the reading between 4and 5ppm and today I tested for the ph and it's at 8... So basically it's a good thing there are no fish in there. will the high ph slow down the cycling of my tank and the growth of the bacteria? and how do I get it down when i'm ready to put the fish in? Read Part 2. |
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