Advice on new planted tank cycling

[hroom88]

hi everyone, this is pretty much my first post here regarding my new tank cycling.
I have already setup my tank about a fortnight ago. However I intend to add fish later, until Im sure the tank is fully cycled. It is a fully planted tank with more species of plants that will come in the following weeks.
My question is regarding the nitro-cycle:

I have heard it is ok to add pure NH3 even in a planted only tank. However, the recommended 4ppm I believe is good for non-planted tanks. Or is it good for planted as well?

Also once the cycle is complete, before adding livestock, it is recommended that one does a huge water change(>90%) to reduce nitrates to more tolerable levels. However the nitrates should be readily utilized by the plants. So will such a huge water change be still necessary in my tank?

Lastly(for now) how do you measure ppm in terms of tsp? I do not have a measuring tube/cup to measure 4 ppm. The ammonia(lab grade) that I have came in a small satchel.

 

[threnjen]

I have heard it is ok to add pure NH3 even in a planted only tank. However, the recommended 4ppm I believe is good for non-planted tanks. Or is it good for planted as well?

Yep!

Also once the cycle is complete, before adding livestock, it is recommended that one does a huge water change(>90%) to reduce nitrates to more tolerable levels. However the nitrates should be readily utilized by the plants. So will such a huge water change be still necessary in my tank?

Also yep

Lastly(for now) how do you measure ppm in terms of tsp? I do not have a measuring tube/cup to measure 4 ppm. The ammonia(lab grade) that I have came in a small satchel.

Satchel? Like it's powdered?
You'll just have to add a tiny bit at a time, then wait at least 15 min and take a reading. Make sure you take note of what you add so that you know what you used when you get to 4ppm.

 

[hroom88]

Also yep

for my knowledge.... ?

Satchel? Like it's powdered?
You'll just have to add a tiny bit at a time, then wait at least 15 min and take a reading. Make sure you take note of what you add so that you know what you used when you get to 4ppm.

true

 

[threnjen]

Sorry, guessing my answer to #2 was unclear? Yes, you will still need to do a big water change at the end of your cycle, the biggest you can.

 

[hroom88]

thanks for the clarification. appreciated!

 

[cfosgate]

Here's a great fishless cycling ammonia calculator that helps.
http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles_51/fishless-cycling-article.htm

 

[hroom88]

Had one more question however. Since chemistry has never been my forte, can anybody tell me if nh3 will be safe with ei dosing?

 

[hroom88]

nobody?

 

[cfosgate]

I'm no expert either but my gut tells me yes, safe enough.

Anyone else with expertise here?

 

[Fishperson]

Do you mean will it be safe to dose ammonia as well as ei? Then I don't see why not, but I don't really understand what you're asking.

 

[threnjen]

Yeah it'll be fine. I think it will even help. If I remember correctly, EI uses some sort of phosphorus as one of its components? Phosphorus is great for the bacteria. You might not even have to do a water change during your cycle if you are dosing EI, yay!

 

[hroom88]

But then, nh3 + Kh2Ph4(ei) + Light + ADA soil= >algae bloom(?) &< plant growth

i.e. Isn't that supposed to benefit algae more than plants? or do I bump co2 to say >20? how does it work? Sorry to be such a nuisance, just that Im trying to keep algae at bay as much as possible. So far none

 

[threnjen]

If algae is a concern, just have your lights on 6 hours a day. Algae generally doesn't have long enough to photosynthesize in that little light.
If you have specific questions about your fert schedule or CO2 you might want to post in the planted tank subforum and you might catch more specialists on the topic there. For cycling concerns, nothing you have mentioned raises a red flag for me.

 

[hroom88]

sounds good, will do. thanks for telling me.