Cycling Question

[twestacott]

My son and I are setting up our first aquarium probably 36 gallon. I was able to find a bottle of Old Country ammonia. I did the shake test and only get a little bubbling which went away in seconds. How much of this stuff do I add to get the ammonia levels up. Is it like 1 or 2 drops or like a cap full for 36 gallon tank? (I will be getting a test kit when we buy the tank later today).

 

[Fishie]

My son and I are setting up our first aquarium probably 36 gallon. I was able to find a bottle of Old Country ammonia. I did the shake test and only get a little bubbling which went away in seconds. How much of this stuff do I add to get the ammonia levels up. Is it like 1 or 2 drops or like a cap full for 36 gallon tank? (I will be getting a test kit when we buy the tank later today).

First off you don't want to get the ammonia levels up you want to get then down to 0! I don't know maybe it says on the back?

 

[twestacott]

I thought thay to start cycling a new tank you wanted to add ammonia to the tank to get the ammonia levels up and let the tank and the filter natrually bring them back down?

 

[jlk]

Hi! Is there a percentage listed for ammonium hydroxide on the bottle? If there isnt, no big deal. You will need to do a bit of experimenting to figure the exact amount to bring your tank to 4ppm. Do you have a baby medicine syringe (doses to 1.875ml)? Most pharmacies will give you one for free if you dont have one. Start by adding 2ml amm, wait 10-15mins for your water to circulate, test for amm. Then, add by .5ml at a time, wait, retest. It will all be dependant on the strength of your amm for the right dose- a ballpark figure for the right dose is 3-5mls (5ml=1 teaspoon), though weaker stuff may be 2 or 3x this amount. Hope this helps!

 

[librarygirl]

Yes, for a fishLESS cycle you want to add ammonia and get them up so that the bacteria can grow and consume them. It's possible Fishie thought you had fish.

Heres' a calculator that will help tell you how much to add: Calculator

You can always just add a few drops, wait 30 minutes, test, then add more, etc. Good luck!

 

[Fishie]

I messed up reading again sorry about that.

 

[twestacott]

Thank you. Very helpful tool. Sorry for any confusion