Adding Amonia To Tank

[tez2k007]

Anyone know roughly how many drops I will need to add to a 125ltr tank. I am just starting the cycling period.

 

[Schmill]

Depends on the 'drop' size.

6.6ml will take a 125L tank to 5ppm if you are using 9.5% solution.

The formula for it (if you are interested is):

Ammonia in ml = ( (target_ppm / 10 ) * tank_volume_in_litres) / ammonia_solution_percentage

So in your situation;

target_ppm = 5
tank_volume_in_litres = 125
ammonia_solution_percentage = 9.5 (I'm presuming here as most are this, but PLEASE check)

( ( 5 / 10) * 125 ) / 9.5 = ammonia_ml

( (0.5) * 125) / 9.5 = ammonia_ml

( 62.5) / 9.5 = ammonia_ml

= 6.58 ml Ammonia



EDIT Best to use a medicine spoon, or a syringe with scale (available for a few pence from most chemists) to make sure you get the right amount of ammonia into the tank.
If you do use a medicine spoon that is obviously only usually 5ml, which will raise you to 3.8ppm, which will be good enough to start and can then be increased later, (if you are keen to get started and have a spoon handy but no syringe )

 

[doresy]

Hi, I am just starting out cycling a Rio 125 (ltr).

With the substrate and 3D background in place I found it took 120 ltrs of water.

To this I added 1 x teaspoon of pure ammonia which brought the level upto between 6-8 ppm which is ideal. (as per API Test-kit)
*edit* As you are cycling you must have a test kit (API liquid type preferably) so if you try, as I did, the teaspoon measure and leave for an hour then test you can always add a drop more if needed. I found it to be spot on though.

Hope this bit of 'science' helps!

 

[Schmill]

Hi, I am just starting out cycling a Rio 125 (ltr).

With the substrate and 3D background in place I found it took 120 ltrs of water.

To this I added 1 x teaspoon of pure ammonia which brought the level upto between 6-8 ppm which is ideal. (as per API Test-kit)

Hope this bit of 'science' helps!

I think you mean ammonia solution, as 'pure ammonia' would be a gas at room temperature and quite difficult to get a teaspoon of
Also be careful with that as I believe if your ppm of ammonia goes above 8ppm in the tank you risk stalling the cycle.

 

[doresy]

Hi, I am just starting out cycling a Rio 125 (ltr).

With the substrate and 3D background in place I found it took 120 ltrs of water.

To this I added 1 x teaspoon of pure ammonia which brought the level upto between 6-8 ppm which is ideal. (as per API Test-kit)

Hope this bit of 'science' helps!

I think you mean ammonia solution, as 'pure ammonia' would be a gas at room temperature and quite difficult to get a teaspoon of
Also be careful with that as I believe if your ppm of ammonia goes above 8ppm in the tank you risk stalling the cycle.

ok, I'm guessing the OP realises what I mean by 'pure ammonia' but for all the rocket scientists out there I did mean in solution I don't suppose it hurts to be accurate when giving advice
I think the teaspoon measure is nearer 6 than 8 and that start off level presented no problems on my previous cycle but I do take your point..........again ........

 

[Schmill]

No worries, I just figure it's so confusing for new starters as it is that we have to be a little careful with how we phrase things
Anyway, onto more important things.... I lurve the look of your tanks, I'm currently using a gravel substrate in both of mine, but I am playing in my mind with changing to sand, (which is annoying as I only bought the gravel for the new tank about 6 weeks ago!), but I'd be interested to hear how you find planting in it? Feel free to reply via pm if you like so we don't 'pollute' this thread