My fishless cycle diary (and where to buy ammonia in Cork??)

[davejcollins]

Hi Guys,

Starting fishless cycle this weekend and will post details here as I go along.

First stumbling block ... Where to buy ammonia in Cork ?? Tried local Supervalu and B & Q with no joy. Going doing some shopping today so will probably find it but if anyone can point me I'm the right direction it might save me some time.

Dave

[gerryberry]

You could throw some fish food into the empty tank, it will. Breakdown to ammonia to get the cycle started.



Or pee in the fishtank Not recommended but I have heard of some people doin it

[davejcollins]

Ya - food is an option alright but I would like to get some ammonia as I would like to be able to measure what I am adding and see he quickly it can be broken down. I wouldn't be 100% sure of how long the food take to fully break down.

It's certainly an option but I expect I will find some ammonia (with no additive) somewhere. I am interested in doing it this way and have a plan - Have plenty of items to seed the new tank with too

Re the pee, have heard about that too - not much though - let's leave that as a last resort .....

[clifford]

nows a sight, a guy standing over, pissing into his tank, just be carefiul,might turn the water yellow

[SebTheCubbyFox]

You'll usually find pure ammonia (9% or 11%) in shops like homebase, b&q. try also small shops hardware shops with detergents and cleaning liquids.

[davejcollins]

Hi Guys,

Update on my search for ammonia:

Supervalu - No
Dunne Stores - No
Tesco - No
B&Q - No
Woodies - No
3 different pharmacies - No
Home Base - none In Cork
Local small DIY & Hardware Store - No.

Running out of ideas ...... would love to be able to find it somewhere tomorrow so that I can get started!!

[apistodiscus]

Supervalue stock household ammonia. One question, in your signature you state that you have a 260 l planted tank. Why not just use some filter sponges from that tank in the filter of your new tank? Saves you the bother of a fishless cycle?

[davejcollins]

Thanks - the supervalus I tried didn't have it but I will try more (someone in a hardware store I tried said that Supervalu in youghal had it last year (will ring them and see - hopefully find somewhere a bit closer to the city)

Re my other tank, I thought I would still go through the cycling process but that the sponges , some gravel etc would just really speed things up - I.e. that the "good bacteria" would colonise much quicker as I have some to start off. I thought I would still go through the process....??

[igmillichip]

What are you asking for when going to the shops?

If you go to a chemist then ask for ammoniun hydroxide solution.
But you could use ammonium chloride (that's even been put in cough medicines).

If you get normal household ammonia, then make sure it does not contain anything else other than ammonium hydroxide. Some may contain lather agents and perfumes.

My personal opinion of the standard fishless-cycle that is published on the web is it is not the answer.
It should be called the 'chemical bottle' cycling as it simply doesn't cycle a tank like magic; a 'fishless cycle' should be exactly that....but the ammonia dosing is not a 'fishless cycle'.

Pissing into a couple of tablespoons would probably be even much better. (you just write that in a diary ).

ian

[davejcollins]

Thanks Ian - I was just asking for ammonia when I went to the pharmacies but I spoke to the pharmacist in both cases and explained what I needed - I was told by one that they might be able to order it in for me but it would be quicker for me to buy online.

Ya I know that re the household stuff - I will be careful alright - thanks though !! I rang around some Supervalus and I found one that has it not too far from me.

So its that or a piss in a cup

[igmillichip]

Thanks Ian - I was just asking for ammonia when I went to the pharmacies but I spoke to the pharmacist in both cases and explained what I needed - I was told by one that they might be able to order it in for me but it would be quicker for me to buy online.

Ya I know that re the household stuff - I will be careful alright - thanks though !! I rang around some Supervalus and I found one that has it not too far from me.

So its that or a piss in a cup

Speaking as a biochemist, the latter is the best option.

[davejcollins]

Against professional advice from igmillichip I have gone down the route of using ammonia to cycle my tank

Progress so far

Filled the tank with water yesterday (Sunday) and left it running overnight.

Took readings today before I started

temp 24
Ammonia 0
Nitrites .01 (lowest reading)
Nitrates 5

Added ammonia

Tested after 45 mins and ammonia is at 4ppm

Going to leave the temperature rise a bit and will add some of the gravel & bogwood form my other tank ( have already added a filter sponge)

[igmillichip]

I always think that the alternative method (using urea solution) makes a much better YouTube demo video.

Anyway, don't forget to take pH readings as well.

ian

[davejcollins]

Sorry - I did but didnt post. Ph 7.5

[apistodiscus]

Where in Cork are you? Anywhere near the city and should be lower