Did I Get The Right Ammonia

[Jman2453]

So went to Walmart this morning to do a fishless cycle with my new 29 gallon tank. All I could find was one type of Ammonia. Is this the right stuff? Ingredients: Ammonium Hydroxide and Surfactant

 

[fatheadminnow]

to TFF!!!!

Not the right stuff unfortunately. You do not want Surfactant.

ACE hardware carries the right ammonia.

-FHM

 

[Jman2453]

So I'm not sure if I can find the "right" stuff. Been to 6 stores so far and all have Surfactant. I went to ace hardware and all they have is ammonia janitorial strength. Contains no ingredients, but says 10% amm hydroxide.

 

[fatheadminnow]

The janitorial is the one!

This is what I use and it works perfect!

NOTE: If the ammonia does not contain ingredients, then odds are it is safe.

-FHM

 

[Bebobb]

Just out of curiousity, what happens if you use ammonia with surfactants?

 

[fatheadminnow]

It does not work. Surfactant is an additive that will kill the bacteria; anything and will not let the cycle start at all.

-FHM

 

[OldMan47]

Surfactant is a fancy word for detergent. It is a chemical that allows water to penetrate through greases easier than the "universal solvent" water. Unfortunately our fish do not do well with detergents in their water. As FHM already said, the "right stuff" is readily available in the US at Ace / True Value hardware stores in the cleaning products aisle.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, agree with OM47. In the technical world, surfactant and soap are different but I would guess that when we toss these two words around in our ammonia-additives discussion they may be used by the manufacturers interchangeably. Or maybe I shouldn't say "used by the manufacturers" since more often than not, the problem is -lack- of labeling, at least here in the USA.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[jmiller]

Is this it?

http/www.acehardware.com/largeImage/index.jsp?LargeImageURL=http%3A//ACE.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE-951690dt.jpg

 

[karin]

Yes it is. Just bought this myself. You will notice when you shake it that there are no lasting detergent like bubbles. Just some air bubbles that disappear in a second.

I had to go to the biggest Ace in the region. The smaller Aces and True Values did not carry it.

 

[Jman2453]

Just a warning, do not put your face above the bottle. Had it on the floor and opened it up, instantly my eyes were burning. Wow that stuff is strong.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yes, ammonia is poisonous!

-FHM

 

[waterdrop]

Is this it?

http/www.acehardware.com/largeImage/index.jsp?LargeImageURL=http%3A//ACE.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE-951690dt.jpg

Yes, that looks exactly like the real thing.. (but wait! those of you who know waterdrop will now chuckle to hear this but he's got a picture in his phone.. he should go check it.. no too lazy to get up from fresh coffee and go check it right yet ) (hey, at least I figured out which button takes the picture on the phone ) WD