Ammonia Additions

[Murloc]

Hullo,
I'm setting up a new tank next week and whilst I'm new to the hobby, I intend to do a fishless cycle. I have the test kit and I've done the tests before on my brothers tank, helping him set it up, but I was wondering what I could use as the 'Ammonia' to raise the levels in the tank. All I see when I read about is that there's no particular brands of anything mentioned, just saying that if it foams it's bad.

Does anyone have any reccomendations? I read somewhere that Boots do some in a bottle of somesort, but it didn't mention what product it was. (I am in the UK, by the way)

Edit: I've also purchased two Marimo balls, are these okay to add to the tank during the cycle or is it better to just hold them off in their own water until the cycle's done?

 

[Gvilleguy]

Hi Murloc,

Welcome to the forum! You will find lots of opinions on here, but overall it is all good advice!

Boots is apparently the place in the UK to find the 10% "pure" ammonia that works. If you go to the bottom of the link in my signature - the do and do not list for the fish less cycle - you will find a link to the product that you need.

 

[Warehouse]

Welcome Murloc. I got my ammonia from Toolstation. You can see if they have a branch near you here, or order online.

 

[Falling Ash]

This is the Boots bottle: http/www.boots.com/en/Boots-Household-ammonia-500ml_923908/

 

[Murloc]

Thanks everyone, I'll be sure to get a log going once I start the cycle, and I'll pick some ammonia from boots tomorrow

I'm still curious about the moss balls, will they be ok to put in as soon as the tank has water in it, or is it better to hold off until it's cycled?

 

[anon02]

My pesonal opinion is that it`s best to cycle with a bare tank, each addition is just something else to consider if things start to go awry

 

[Warehouse]

I'm still curious about the moss balls, will they be ok to put in as soon as the tank has water in it, or is it better to hold off until it's cycled?

The trouble with plants of any kind is that you need to have the tank lights on. With all that ammonia in there it's a recipe for algae, in fact it's a perfect breeding ground. However, in my case I simply got bored of waiting, and now that my ammonia and nitrites are beginning to cycle fairly quickly I decided to get some plants in. I've just ordered 5 mossballs from ebay that should be here by Wednesday.

In my opinion I'd leave the lights off untill at least until the cycle is well under way with ammonia dropping fairly quickly.