Pure ammonia does not exist!

[tbfoto]

At least that is what I'm finding out in my town. I have spent the last 4 evenings and have gone to: Walmart, Dollar General, Meijer, Tractor supply, Rual King, CVS, Walgreens, K-mart, Menards, Lowes, HomeDepot, 3 local grocery stores. I have found:

Extra strength Ammonia (colored blue),
Lemon fresh Ammonia,
Sudsy Ammonia (white in color)
Clear Ammonia with sufantants
Ammonia with "added ingrediants"
Bottles that only say "active ingredents"

But no Ammonia without all the other stuff in it!

I'm going to have to go buy a few fish and put into my tank. Right now I have an ammonia reading of about 1.5. What can I put into this tank that will survive and help me?

Thanks,
Tom

[Darkness]

its true, i cant find it either

[Algenco]

try a pharmacy, ask the pharmacist, they have ammonia usually around 36% be careful that is very strong. Household ammonia is 1-2% tell them you only need a very small amount.

I would dilute with distilled water before use

[Lady Hobbs]

Check the Dollar Stores. Most of them carry it.

[NeonJulie]

ACE Hardware, Janitorial Strength.

Be very grateful you haven't given those other ones ago, thinking "quality control agents" etc could possibly be bad. Hopefully you can find some Janitorial Strength.

(And I never recommend grocery stores or Walmart, because I bought my first batch at the grocery store, called Clear Ammonia, and I know my Walmart ones aren't safe either.) But I haven't come across any problems in almost a year now, of reviewing fish forums, mentioned about ACE Hardware stuff. It's clear, smells HORRIBLE (don't put your nose by it), won't sud, feels like water's normal friction not slippery or coated, and comes with a bright red label.

[tbfoto]

We do have an ACE hardware on the other side of town. I had not thought of them. It has been there for about 20 years but I don't think that I have ever been there. I'll go check them out tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up.

Tom

[xoolooxunny]

We do have an ACE hardware on the other side of town. I had not thought of them. It has been there for about 20 years but I don't think that I have ever been there. I'll go check them out tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up.

Tom

If not, ask them if they can order some.

[Drumachine09]

As a last resort, you can use human urine to cycle a tank. I belive it was Wileygh (sp) who did/is doing this.


I personally wouldnt do it, but if you dont have a choice, it would work fine.

[xoolooxunny]

As a last resort, you can use human urine to cycle a tank. I belive it was Wileygh (sp) who did/is doing this.


I personally wouldnt do it, but if you dont have a choice, it would work fine.

If you want ammonia in your urine, be sure to eat excess amounts of protein!

[gm72]

As a last resort, you can use human urine to cycle a tank. I belive it was Wileygh (sp) who did/is doing this.


I personally wouldnt do it, but if you dont have a choice, it would work fine.

Just brings a hilarious image to my mind.

Me: (peeing in the tank)
Daughter: "Daddy, what are you doing?"
Me: "Helping the good bacteria grow in the new tank."
Daughter: "Daddy, what is that thing the pee is coming out of?"
Me: "Ummmm..."

[tbfoto]

OK, I did find the ammonia at ACE hardware (janitorial strength) but the bottle does not give a list of ingredients. The label does say 10% ammonia and no phosphorus but most bottles that I have looked at have an actual ingredient list. It is clear and does not foam up when shook. SO......Do I trust this stuff to be OK?

Thanks,
Tom

[gm72]

You got it!!!

[Lady Hobbs]

Score!

I think using pee to cycle your fish tank is just not right!!! Who wants to walk in your house and smell your stale urine? Your body impurities are washed thru in your urine so you are getting a lot more than just ammonia.