How much ammonia to add?

[Vampa]

Hi all. I'm in the process of setting up a new 20L aquarium, and I need some help with this fishless cycle thing. Tank's all set up, and ready for cycling. I bought some pure ammonia yesterday, but I have no idea how much I should be adding. I know I need to dose it up to 5 ppm to start with, but what I don't know is how much ammonia that actually comes out to for a 20 gallon tank. A few drops? A capful? A cup? Or how many ML?

Anyone have any advice on this? I don't want to just start dumping ammonia in and totally overdo it.

[MLBfan]

What size filter?

[imma24]

If it's a 20L tank, I would totally not add enough to get a reading up to 5ppm - more like 1ppm is more like it - you add a smaller amount of ammonia to grow a smaller amount of bacteria in a smaller filter : )

I would do a drop at a time until you get a reading of 1.0ppm and then let it drop to 0 - by then, you should be getting a reading for nitrites - once ammonia reads 0 you keep adding ammonia to 1.0 and keep letting it drop to 0. Read the sticky (article with red print) about cycling without fish.

[Danifins]

You don't need much! It only took 2 tablespoons (plus a little bit of splashing over the edge of the spoon) for my 36 gallon (approx 120L) to get to 4-5ppm. And in such a small tank you probably dont need to dose that high since you wont have many fish in it. Maybe 1-2 ppm?

Try just a few drops at first and wait a half hour or so for the filter to spread it all through the water, then test it. Adjust. :)

[MLBfan]

Is this 20 long or 20 liter?

[Vampa]

If it's a 20L tank, I would totally not add enough to get a reading up to 5ppm - more like 1ppm is more like it - you add a smaller amount of ammonia to grow a smaller amount of bacteria in a smaller filter : )

I would do a drop at a time until you get a reading of 1.0ppm and then let it drop to 0 - by then, you should be getting a reading for nitrites - once ammonia reads 0 you keep adding ammonia to 1.0 and keep letting it drop to 0. Read the sticky (article with red print) about cycling without fish.

Guys i apologise. My tank is 20 gallons, which is 75 liters.

[Danifins]

Oh that's my fault too, I didn't see the mention of gallons later on in your post.

Anyway my advice is generally the same. Drop in a little bit (A tsp or so), let it run for an hour and then test the water. Add more if needed (a little bit at a time), waiting a while after each addition for it to circulate the tank, until you reach about 3-4ppm for your tank.

[Vampa]

What size filter?

You know im not sure. I bought the kit, and on the manual it doesn't say what model.

It just says Aqueon Power Filter 10,20,30,50, 55/75.

So if my tank is 20 gallons, i assume its 125GPH.

[Honey Badger 1]

With regards to adding enough ammonia the size of filter doesn't matter. Andreahp is right, just add tiny amounts then test the ammonia to see how what level you have. If needed add a tiny bit more until you have the right amount. I would add up to 2ppm for a 20 gallon tank then drop that amount to 1ppm when nitrites show up.

[Goes to 11!]

I bought some pure ammonia yesterday, but I have no idea how much I should be adding. I know I need to dose it up to 5 ppm to start with, but what I don't know is how much ammonia that actually comes out to for a 20 gallon tank. A few drops? A capful? A cup? Or how many ML?

Anyone have any advice on this? I don't want to just start dumping ammonia in and totally overdo it.

It's not a recipe, It's a process:

You have to add some ammonia [Test an hour later] and add more [or not] until you reach the required levels. [NOT 5ppm as mentioned for your size tank] Repeat as required until you reach the amount to dose your tank.