Using Ammonia for fishless cycle

[dborregoa]

I've been reading about doing a fishless cycle with Ammonia and that's probably what I'll end up doing.

Can anyone tell me, loosely, how much ammonia to add to a 75 gallon tank. I know that the amounts vary and the general reading should be 4-5ppm, I just need to know a quantity to start with.

[Lady Hobbs]

Dose a bit, wait 15 minutes, test. If you need a tad more, then add a tad more.

Links below for your enjoyment. :)

[imma24]

+1 - don't put in too much at a time - if you end up putting in too much you'll need to remove some - too much can stall the cycling process.

[dborregoa]

Ok, but what are some common amounts added to a 75 gallon tank?

5 drops per gallon? 1 drop per tank? 17 buckets per gallon?

Just in general. How much did you use for your tank and how big was your tank? I just want a general idea.

[Lady Hobbs]

I did this. Dosed a bit, waited 15 minutes, tested.

There is no exact measurements because all ammonia is not the same percent.

[imma24]

There have been people who kept very close track of how much they put in so they knew 15 drops, or a capful, or 1/2 teaspoon got their tank up to whatever reading they wanted - so, like LH said, if you find that 5 drops (or a half teaspoon for that matter) doesn't register any ammonia, then add another 5 drops or another half teaspoon...repeat if necessary!

[Goes to 11!]

Ok, but what are some common amounts added to a 75 gallon tank?

5 drops per gallon? 1 drop per tank? 17 buckets per gallon?

Just in general. How much did you use for your tank and how big was your tank? I just want a general idea.

It doesn't work like that because it's not a recipe [As mentioned, There are too many variables], The typical route is this:

You dose. You then determine what level you have reached by testing and you then redose as required until you reach your target dosage.

[Limming]

If it helps I dosed two caps of a 64 oz bottle and got a reading of 3 for my 20 gallon.

[Goes to 11!]

If it helps I dosed two caps of a 64 oz bottle and got a reading of 3 for my 20 gallon.

Unless he uses the same [Unknown] % ammonia you do [& the same sized cap for that matter], That measure will not be useful for the OP.

[Tobinkinz]

My hubby (bolsen27) found a formula somewhere online that you can use. I'll get him to post it when I get a chance.

Sabra