fishless cycling - ammonia substitute?????

louistheloach · 06-02-2009, 08:53 PM

Hey.......I just spent the better part of the afternoon looking for ammonia to do a fishless cycle with no luck at all. I live in wisconsin. I don't know if it is a new state law or what but there was none to be had.......apparently the meth heads use it for their fix, so now it is not available to anyone.......

So what are my options.....

ltl

ZeroSystem · 06-03-2009, 01:22 AM

I've heard of people dumping a bunch of fishfood into their tanks in order to get it cycling. Once the fish food begins to decompose it should in turn release ammonia and thus start the cycle. Never tried it myself, but I know of people who have done it with success. I've also heard of people urinating in their aquarium to start the cycle, but that just seems too gross to me.

louistheloach · 06-03-2009, 11:30 AM

no doubt....

do I just keep putting a little in (or a lot) as defined by what..... 1/4 tsp...... more? or less? daily and watch the numbers. It is a fifteen gallon tank.

thank you

ltl

Jay · 06-03-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

do I just keep putting a little in (or a lot) as defined by what..... 1/4 tsp...... more? or less? daily and watch the numbers. It is a fifteen gallon tank.

Should be covered here...

http://www.fishtankforums.com/16-sit...tutorials.html

Jay

Judge · 06-03-2009, 06:38 PM

I had the same problem when I started looking for pure ammonia. I took RJR's advice and went to Ace Hardware and sure enough they had a large jug of it. Has a black and red label!

louistheloach · 06-04-2009, 08:07 PM

Thanks judge, yep I found it there too.......lots of it!

but with all the warnings on the label etc........should I wear gloves when I work with it......do I need a glass dropper or can I use a plastic pipette with the little bulb on the end.....when I am done with the cycle, do I have to throw the pipette away or will it rinse well enough to be safe again to use for pulling water for the test tubes etc?

thank you

ltl

Jay · 06-05-2009, 08:05 AM

The dilution available to the public as "household" ammonia is very low. I would be careful to avoid skin or eye contact, and wash my hands when finished. The major issue is going to be inhalation, as you will find out when you open the bottle, and will need to have good ventilation.

I would decant into a smaller container and use a plastic pipette. Remember this stuff was used for years as a household cleaner for dishes, windows, bathtubs etc.

The one real caution about household ammonia is NEVER MIX IT with any other household product that contains CHLORINE...that produces ammonium chloride gas which can be lethal to be around.

Jay

louistheloach · 06-05-2009, 08:28 AM

Thank you for getting back to me on that. I will be careful. I put some into a smaller bottle and even mixed it with a little RO water. The bottle said 10% solution - Janitorial Strength, and the area I am working in is a little more enclosed.

ltl