Cycling a large tank

[gazat]

Hi Folks,

As some of you may be aware i have recently brought a Juwel rio 400 tank. As the title suggests i want some advice on how to do a fishless cycle in a large tank, as i am ready to start to set the tank up.

Ideas on what sort of amounts of ammonia to use etc.

Cheers

Gaza T

 

[Tatya]

Got your Ammonia test kit ready? Add a certain amount of ammonia (with a tank that big I'd start with 1/2 tsp). Leave it to spread through the tank for ~ 10 - 20 mins (till the filter pump has stirred it all in) then measure the amount of ammonia in the water. You want to add enough to get the Ammonia up to 5 ppm over two days. (note the amount of ammonia you need to add on each of the first two days).

Make sure that the ammonia is pure ammonia. i.e. that it doesn't foam when "all shook up".

Once you get the ammonia up to 5 ppm drop the amount of ammonia you are adding down to half the amount previously added and keep an eye on the nitrite and ammonia. If the ammonia is still rising quickly with no reading on the nitrite then reduce the ammonia addition further.

If you are worried about going through the fishless cycle you could always post your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings to the board and then Kenliz, I and everyone else who has fishless cycled (Anna?) can help out

 

[gazat]

Cheers Tatya,

I'll try that out. Where can you get pure ammonia from? any ideas.

Gaza T

 

[Tatya]

I got mine from the local DIY shop. The cheapest-no label stuff is usually the one you need. Check the ingredients you want one with ammonia + aqua (water ) or pure ammonia. If when you shaken it foams then its got other stuff in it and you don't want it.

I think we should start lobbying LFS to supply pure ammonia

I could check the name of the one I've got if that'll help, but they'll be others and I'm not sure the one I've got will be sold down south

Tat


PS whatever you do don't smell it :laugh:  :laugh: (why isn't there a coughing smilie???!) )