Fishless Cycle Help

[nikkifro8994]

So I haven't cycled a tank in almost a year, and I kind of forgot how. My tap water has 2 ppm Ammonia in it (because Florida cleans their water with chlorine and ammonia). This is typically a pain when I do water changes. But my tanks are established enough to deal with the ammonia in less than 2 hours. I'm cycling a 5 gallon tank. If my tap already has 2 ppm ammonia and I use filter media from an established tank, do I need to add any more ammonia? Or can I let it run for 2 weeks or so and be fine?

 

[Aquascaper]

Unless you're doing a 100% water change daily then no.

If your established media processes 2ppm ammonia in 2hrs then when you fill the 5g it will have no ammonia after 2hrs and the bacteria will start to starve and die-off unless you continue 'feeding' ammonia.

 

[nikkifro8994]

so would I be safe to add fish right away? I'd check the levels first, just to be safe.

 

[Aquascaper]

If you have ammonia you can add I would set it up and test over a couple of days to be sure before adding fish.

 

[nikkifro8994]

Okay. I'm sure I can pick up a small bottle at the grocery store for fairly cheap. Just straight ammonia?

 

[Aquascaper]

Straight ammonia, no additives like perfumes/colours, if you shake it and it makes bubbles which don't disperse quickly then it shouldn't be used.

 

[nikkifro8994]

Ok. Do I add plants before or after I cycle?

 

[Aquascaper]

Adding before will absorb some ammonia and can give a false impression of how the cycles going. Some people do, some people don't.

 

[nikkifro8994]

I'll add the plants when I add the betta.

 

[nikkifro8994]

The grocery store has ammonia but it all has soap with it. Would a home improvemant store like Home Depot or Lowe's have straight ammonia?

 

[Aquascaper]

I'm UK based but those are names I've heard of where people have found some so I would have thought so