Cycling question

[needmorecowbell]

So from what I know it starts as ammonia, then nitrite, then nitrate which is the least poisonous to fish. Do you need to add ammonia in a fishless cycle? Also, where would you get it. Its in my bedroom so anything that smells horrible I really don't want.

 

[Sonomakid]

Tips and tricks for your fastest fishless cycle!

There should be everything you need to know. Ammonia can be found at your local hardware store.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Cool i will check it out. Thanks

 

[daileene]

make sure that you can get the pure ammonia (no dyes, no perfumes, no surfactant). Shake it, if it bubbles, don't use it in your aquarium..

 

[needmorecowbell]

Alright, I read this in the article. Thanks. But what about saltwater? I wasn't sure if you mix salt first or something.

 

[daileene]

I am sorry..I am not familiar when it comes to saltwater, someone here that are experts in saltwater might be able to help you...

 

[Sonomakid]

So you are asking how to cycle a Saltwater tank ?

 

[needmorecowbell]

Well.. At first no but now I am.

 

[eco23]

Theres a "getting started" section in the saltwater forum of this site, I'd check around there. I think there are some differences with fishless cycling a saltwater tank... I just don't know what they are.

 

[needmorecowbell]

K thanks i will check it out. It is a sticky probably right?

 

[eco23]

I don't know, I've never been to the saltwater forum. You can use the search feature though. I'm sure the process is basically the same as freshwater but I'd check into it anyway. The article someone included in this thread is probably the best thing ever written on this site. Also read all the Q&A after the article. Good luck!

 

[needmorecowbell]

I checked it out and I would use 1 raw shrimp to start it instead of pure ammonia.

 

[eco23]

Does it say not to use pure ammonia? Shrimp or fish food do work, but it's much harder to control the amounts that are in the tank. Id be surprised if using pure ammonia didn't work in saltwater because what you're doing with the ammonia is simulating having fish poo in there. Obviously saltwater fish poo the same as freshwater. Make sure you do lots of research, and follow that tips and tricks thread like it's the bible. Lots of people have their own opinion about cycling, but that article is basically considered perfect by everyone on this website who has used it... Me included!

 

[needmorecowbell]

It doesn't say to use it. It says use a raw shrimp. 1-2 for up to 30 gals and 3+ for more. I will make sure to use this thread to my advantage haha

 

[eco23]

I'd still get a couple more opinions on if you can use pure ammonia in saltwater. Like I said, shrimp do work, it's just not as nice of a clean, measurable, scientific approach to it. You should start a new thread in the saltwater getting started thread asking if anyone has successfully used ammonia to cycle their saltwater tank.

 

[carey]

I used ammonia and my LR to cycle my SW tank.

 

[eco23]

Sorry, still reasonably new...LR?

 

[needmorecowbell]

Could i do live rock and nothing else and would ammonia kill any good bacteria?

 

[needmorecowbell]

Sorry, still reasonably new...LR?

Live rock

 

[eco23]

The ammonia feeds the bacteria. It would die without it.