setting up new tank soon

[DanS180]

How long should i let my 180 gallon freshwater with 2 Fluval fx5's cycle for? I was thinking at least a week??

 

[jlk]

Running a tank for a week will not cycle it. You will need to add an ammonia source if your doing a fishless cycle. A fishless cycle from scratch (without cycled media) can 4-6 wks. Heres the fishless cycle link:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html

 

[DanS180]

So i could go out n buy ammonia for the Fluval fx5 n throw that in there n it should help the process, along with air stones, rocks etc?

 

[jlk]

Please read the link I posted- it explains alot! If you are planning a fishless cycle, you will need to add a source of ammonia to your tank to feed & grow your good bacteria. Pure ammonia is the cleanest & most precise way to go. You will need to find ammonia lists its only ingredients as ammonium hydroxide & water. Check out the Ace Hardware store locator to see if theres one in your area. The Ace Hardware 10% Janitorial Strength Ammonia is great stuff. Dollar Tree stores usually carry usuable ammonia as well as a few other places (and Amazon). Dont hesitate to ask questions!

 

[DanS180]

I have an Ace hardware right around the corner from me! Haha.. just buy a bottle n put it in the tank?? I have time but not 4-6 weeks time haha hoe long do u think it would take with the ammonia in there??

 

[jlk]

Do you have access to any cycled media? This is the quickest way to jumpstart & speed up a cycle. Heres a link to the ammonia calculator- enter your tank size & change the 'ppm' to 4. The Ace stuff is 10%. It will give the exact amount of ammonia needed to start your cycle.

Calculator

 

[DanS180]

It says 28.69mL for a 180 gallon tank... so a couple bottles I'm guessing

 

[DanS180]

Cycled media as in established filter?? I have 1 Fluval fx5 hooked up to my 55 right now that im gonna be using on the 180

 

[jlk]

A couple of bottles? Nope, 29 mls is only about about 6 teaspoons. Thats measuring teaspoons you use in the kitchen not just a regular 'teaspoon'. Or use a 5 or 10ml syringe that most pharmacies will give you for free if you want precise ml measurements. Using your fluval from a cycled tank will make a big difference.

 

[DanS180]

I suck with measurements sometimes lol ok so 1 bottle of ace ammonia and hook up the Fluval that's in use now and I should be ready to go... will it matter if the media in the other Fluval is all new??

 

[jlk]

The cycled fluval will help seed the new filter & the tank so no worries! It wont happen overnight though!

 

[DanS180]

Awesome, nah I know not overnight bug u think a week or so should do the trick?

 

[jlk]

You have an API test kit, right? Lets see what happens & how quickly your tank establishes itself. No guarentees on a week though because its a much bigger tank than a 55g. Keep us posted!

 

[DanS180]

Alright, ill let you know, won't be for a few weeks tho as I'm waiting until I move at the end of the month then I'm setting up everything, just wanna get all the info I can beforehand! Thank you tho! You've been a big help!

 

[jlk]

Good luck & let us know if we can be of any help!

 

[DanS180]

You got it!