fishless cycling question

[mellowyellow]

I've tried all day today to find pure ammonia to start a new 20gal freshwater tank cycle. I've failed in my search. Nowhere can I find pure ammonia without additives. Any suggestions.

 

[mommytron]

where have you looked? hardware stores seem like the place to go. look for "clear" ammonia or "janitorial strength"

if you really can't find any, you can always use raw shrimp from the grocery store

 

[agp]

My advice is - look places where you wouldn't think you would find it. I bought mine at a lumber store.

 

[maxima423]

i had the same trouble, Ace Hardware is where i went and got this product, i just started my cycle yesterday and its going great i think.... lol!!!\

http://image62.webshots.com/662/7/51/11/2331751110105017357XLDSIc_ph.jpg

 

[mfdrookie516]

ACE is the only place that I've found it... but i've heard the dollar store has it. Walmart usually has a janitors cleaning place over around the hardware section, they *might* have it.

 

[logansmomma1228]

I got mine at Meijers.

You could also get some shrimp from the grocery store. Put them in a mesh bag and leave them in the tank... or fish food. But those are stinky and messy, respectively.

 

[mellowyellow]

Maxima. Keep in touch. My husband found out they sell it at Southern States but if we find out they don't carry it I'll try ace. Thanks a lot.

 

[mellowyellow]

MT: Just found clear ammonia at True Value and I've already put in the tank. Hoorah! I don't know why I didn't think of hardware stores carrying it, because hardware stores are my favorite next to 5 & 10s. The days of 5 & 10s are long past I'm afraid. Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[krap101]

Don't buy it from Walmart. Unless they changed their formula again within the past 3 years, they started adding surfactant to their ammonia.

 

[mellowyellow]

I finally found it at True Value hardware store. I've seeded the tank, put in a bubbler, shut off the lights and now I wait. Fun isn't it. I'm so hooked on aquariums I'm afraid of what I might do in the future....large tanks and no where to put them? lol

 

[mommytron]

lol... i see some MTS coming on!!!! be sure to keep the temp between 80-85 to speed up the cycle even more

 

[mellowyellow]

mommytron: The heat's up to 85, the bubbler is going, lights are off, seeded tank with an ornament from my cycled 10 gal. (which I'm replacing with the new 20 gal) and a pinch of pulverized flake food. Now I wait and make sure the ammonia doesn't go below 2ppm. Thanks for replying.