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RE: Ammonia for cycle

rayjay — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:46:12 GMT

seahorsedreams (9/7/2006)

Ray, what is the "recipe" for using that?

No real recipe I just add to get high ammonia readings and keep the readings high for a month and then stop. When all the cycle is done I add the fish.
I add enough so that I can put all the fish in at once, after they've finished the quarantine/treatment period.
For maximum effect I usually keep it at/around 10 ppm ammonia, but it doesn't have to be exact. Keeping the level high for longer means more bacteria produced to handle the larger loading.
In a small tank like a 20g however, I would keep it at around 5 or 6 ppm for a couple of weeks because I wouldn't be intending to place a high bio-load on a 20 as only small fish should be in that size tank.

RE: Ammonia for cycle

Puffer Queen — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:19:50 GMT

Chuck,

Good link/reference sheet!

I use 1 drop of ammonia per 10 gallons to cycle and keep cycled air driven sponge filters for when that QT needs to be set up for that new puffer.

RE: Ammonia for cycle

seahorsedreams — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 11:21:27 GMT

Ray, what is the "recipe" for using that?

If anyone knows of other places keep them coming so I can tell my friends as well.

RE: Ammonia for cycle

rayjay — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 08:45:31 GMT

I cheat!
I purchased a small bottle of ammonium chloride from a local pharmacy and it will last forever.

RE: Ammonia for cycle

charlesr1958 — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 06:48:49 GMT

Hey Kelly, just thought I would throw this page I put together at ya on cycling a new tank and see how it goes over. I only did so (create a page) out of frustration at seeing new tanks being flooded with ammonia amounts that end up producing the inevitable algae nightmare that everyone seems to have accepted as being normal, how many new hobbyists have given up within their first year just out of being unable to beat/control algae?

My Cycle Methods Page ( I know, like you have nothing better to do..lol)

Chuck

RE: Ammonia for cycle

Puffer Queen — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 03:06:32 GMT

One can use pure ammonia to cycle a tank without fish. I use it in a separate tank to cycle and keep air driven sponge filters cycled. Only a few drops a day is needed so a bottle lasts a long time. Cycling with ammonia assures that no pathogens are introduced and no fish have to suffer due to ammonia/nitrite spikes during the cycling process.

RE: Ammonia for cycle

rydtime — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 21:24:33 GMT

what is it used for and how?

RE: Ammonia for cycle

Puffer Queen — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 18:24:00 GMT

Way to go Renee!!!

Congrats!!!

RE: Ammonia for cycle

seahorsedreams — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 18:21:18 GMT

SCORE! Just got back from Smart & Final with a gallon of Pure Ammonia in tow!

Thanks!

RE: Ammonia for cycle

seahorsedreams — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 15:53:58 GMT

We don't have Kroger's but we do have a smart and final..... and it's right next to the LFS. I've never been in there, do you need as pass of any sort?

RE: Ammonia for cycle

Puffer Queen — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:50:22 GMT

And it really inexpensive - 1/2 gallon cost less than a dollar and has lasted over a year.

RE: Ammonia for cycle

Puffer Queen — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:48:18 GMT

Renee,

I had the same problem......I finally found it at the Kroger chain grocery store. It is their brand called Everyday Living.

I have used this brand for over a year now with good success.

RE: Ammonia for cycle

Reefski — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:31:16 GMT

here in LA they have it at Smart and Final.

Carl

Ammonia for cycle

seahorsedreams — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 13:44:09 GMT

Okay, I've been looking for a month for the stuff and can not find it anywhere. Does anyone know of some online suppliers? Every single one I've come across has had a surfactant in it. I heard the Walmart brand was "the one" so I drove out that way last night it hopes of finding it. It didn't foam like the others but it did indeed have the surfactant listed as an ingredient. I've looked in every market, every drug store, every department store, every discount store in my area and haven't come up with it. Gonna see if I can find a janitorial suplly store but after that I'm out of ideas.....

I swear when I find some I am going to buy tons of eat and share it with the world.... so frustrating.