getting ready to start cycling

[twiggin]

Hi

So I'm hoping to start cycling in the next couple of days. My test kit arrived yesterday. The only problem now is that I can't find ammonia. The pharmacies don't seem to stock it (I tried three in downtown Toronto with no luck). Any suggestions on where to find it? What is it used for besides cycling anyway?

Okay, so I'm going for the fishless method because I don't like the idea of subjecting fish to more stress and toxins than necessary. From what I understand I shouldn't be using any boosters if I don't have fish.

My second question is: I added some Cycle when I first set up the tank about two weeks ago, before reading all these posts (I thought it would establish the bacteria). So is the Cycle still in the water and will it mess up my readings? Should I change the water before I get started on my cycling if so? Or is there another way to compensate for the Cycle?

thanks in advance!

t

[Northernguy]

I use to buy ammonia in Toronto in any grocery store.I usually find it in with the laundry detergent.
Don't worry about the cycle thats in your tank.Just add a small amount of ammonia wait 1/2hr to an hour and test.Try and maintain about 4-5 ppm.

[lmgiles88]

Good luck with the cycle twiggin! Good deciscion on the fishless cycle! The feeling you get once it's finally cycled is amazing.

[Lab_Rat]

If you can't find non-foaming ammonia you can always just throw a raw shrimp into the tank (like the kind from the grocery store). As it decays it will release ammonia for your fishless cycle. The nice thing about this method is the shrimp will continue releasing ammonia, you will not have to dose ammonia when your nitrites are spiking. The "cycle" product is not going to hurt your fishless cycle, it may just give you some false readings on ammonia. No need to drain the tank.

[bushwhacker]

yikes have you ever smelled a rotting shrimp? for that matter pure ammonia? thats why i do fish in cycles.

[Lab_Rat]

yikes have you ever smelled a rotting shrimp? for that matter pure ammonia? thats why i do fish in cycles.

I know it was actually the preferred fishless method since many people had difficulty finding ammonia without surfactants at another fish forum I was at. I know rotting shrimp smells bad but I don't think it would if under water. No one ever complained of the smell, and I know when I fishless cycle with ammonia you can't smell the ammonia.

There is no reason to subject fish to a cycle when better methods are available. It's cruel.

[Padams]

While you're at pharmacist you may want to see if they will give you a dropper for infant medication. They are great for adding ml of something. I get mine a Kroger but in Canada, got no clue. It will help in the long run.

[twiggin]

thanks for the ideas

I tried the grocery stores. One didn't have ammonia and one had lemon scented. Canadian Tire was no good either.

I'm leaning towards trying out the shrimp method. How do you control the amount of ammonia released? Does that relate to the size of the shrimp? Do you not worry about it and just wait to see your ammonia levels decline (indicating that the bacteria are using up the ammonia as quickly as the shrimp is giving it off)? I'm assuming that the shrimp will continue to give off ammonia for quite a while, or does it start to drop off at some point?

Any other pointers before I go out and get myself a shrimp (I can just imagine the look of pity on the fish counter worker's face -- one shrimp?).

thanks

[rich311k]

With the shrimp you have no control on the amount of ammonia. It will just go up. One large shrimp should be fine. I would put it in a clean stocking to make removing it easier when you are done, it is going to get quite messy.

[Lab_Rat]

There is really no need to have control over the ammonia. You'll cultivate enough bacteria to cover all the ammonia released from the shrimp, which should be plenty to start stocking your fish once the cycle is finished.

The stocking idea is a good one, I didn't even think about it being messy. Good call Rich!

[twiggin]

thanks rich and lab rat and everyone else!
I think I'm gonna try the shrimp method. A friend offered to get me ammonia from her lab but not until monday and I'm getting impatient (which sounds like something I'll have to control over the course of the next few weeks).

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Lab_Rat]

Sounds good! That's nice she can get you some ammonia too, that way if you decide you don't like the shrimp method you can use the ammonia.

And yes, patience is very, very important in fishkeeping...especially when you are first starting out. It's easy to rush things, then everything crashes, fish get sick, and you're back to square one.