Help Me

[cookie_db]

I've just been trying to work out how much ammonia I need to add to my tank by first working out what I need in one gallon. I'm using Jeyes Kleen Off ammonia. I've added 20ml to one gallon and its reading about 4. Now surely that must be wrong or else I'd need 1000ml for my tank.
Anyone got any ideas?
I've got my brother here looking at the results with me so I can't be reading it wrong

Thanx
Dani

 

[rdd1952]

Something definitely isn't right. To test, I just added 1ml to a 2qt container (2ml per gallon) and and that took it to between 4 and 8 ppm on my API kit. I used ammonia I got at Walmart 2 years ago to cycle my 75 gallon tank. What kind of test kit are you using?

 

[cookie_db]

I'm using API freshwater mater kit. I have no idea what's going on. I only bought the ammonia a week or two ago.

Dani

 

[rdd1952]

It should work so I dont' know what the problem is. You really shouldn't need but a couple ml to raise a gallon to 4 to 6 ppm.

 

[cookie_db]

Guess I'll just empty the bucket and try again. I've tested it a few times now as well.

Thanx
Dani

 

[rdd1952]

Somethings wrong then. You definitely shouldn't have to add a whole bottle. I've cycled 4 tanks with the bottle I have (.946 litres) and still have over half a bottle left.

 

[cookie_db]

Well I've just emptied my bucket and have put a fresh gallon in and have added 5ml this time. I'll post back wen I get the result from this one. Hopefully will read what want it too so i can start cycling my tank

Dani

 

[rdd1952]

Unless there's a problem with the ammonia, 5 ml in a gallon should put you well over 10 ppm.

 

[cookie_db]

And you're right. I added the 5ml and with a couple of mins it had gone very dark green. I have no idea why I wasn't getting these results before. I've now done it again but added only 2ml. And my result for that is at 8ppm. Think I'm just going to add just under 1ml per gallon and hope that i don't get a reading too high in my tank. I don't have anything i can measure 1ml in so I'll have to hope for the best. Thanx for all your help.
Dani

 

[rdd1952]

The mark that you fill to on the API tubes is 5ml. Just figure about 1/5 full.

 

[cookie_db]

I hadn't thought of that. I still got just under 8ppm with that. My tank is around 57 gallons so I think I'm going to add around 40ml and see what my tank reads at then. I reckon it should be about right.

Dani

 

[OohFeeshy]

It's not going to matter at all if you go over 5ppm. Either you can leave it to 'digest' that amount (which will take longer but you'll end up with a huge amount of bacteria at the end, so you can add even more fish at once), or just do water changes until it's at your desired amount.

 

[rdd1952]

The main reason to have the leel where it is readable is so you can see when it starts to drop.