Help With Ammonia/cycling

[peter1979]

I started my fishless cycle on sunday with my fluval edge tank (6g). I bought some ammonia called 'homecare essentials' from robert dyas. It doesnt stipulate what the dilution rate is or any other contents, so i shook it to see if it foamed, and it didnt.
Based on my tank size i calculated about 1.25ml of ammonia should be enough to start the cycle if i want 5ppm. I have been testing the ammonia levels for the pat 2 days and i am only getting reading of 2ppm from the API master test kit. I am sure 1.25ml of ammonia should be easily enough for 5ppm. Could it be that the dilution rate of the ammonia i have got it less than the standard 9.5% or have i miscalculated the amount i should have added?
any help please?!

peter

 

[doresy]

Your calculation is right but I don't know about your ammonia source. I have only ever used Homebase £1.99 ammonia solution.

 

[waterdrop]

Did the Robert Dyas say that it was 9.5%? In the US its often not marked at all and can easily be below 9.5%. Even when it is marked you have to realize that they don't always follow the marked amount and since ammonia is a gas, the percentage can start changing as soon as you uncap it. So the thing to believe is your test result, not a number from the bottle or the calculator.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[peter1979]

Did the Robert Dyas say that it was 9.5%? In the US its often not marked at all and can easily be below 9.5%. Even when it is marked you have to realize that they don't always follow the marked amount and since ammonia is a gas, the percentage can start changing as soon as you uncap it. So the thing to believe is your test result, not a number from the bottle or the calculator.

~~waterdrop~~

the people in the shop didnt even knwo what the product was, let alone what the dilution rate was. Do you think i should add some more then?

 

[doresy]

Did the Robert Dyas say that it was 9.5%? In the US its often not marked at all and can easily be below 9.5%. Even when it is marked you have to realize that they don't always follow the marked amount and since ammonia is a gas, the percentage can start changing as soon as you uncap it. So the thing to believe is your test result, not a number from the bottle or the calculator.

~~waterdrop~~

the people in the shop didnt even knwo what the product was, let alone what the dilution rate was. Do you think i should add some more then?

As ~~waterdrop~~ suggested, the proof is with your testing (especially as you are using API liquid tests)

My/our advice.....1st check your testing kit is 'in date' then retest your water being super accurate (ie. follow instructions!) If all ok and still below 5ppm then add a couple of drops of ammonia (from a pippet preferably) leave for 10 minutes (to allow mixing) and retest. By keeping check how much more you are adding to get the level from it's current 2ppm up to 5ppm will give you an indication as to how much to add when levels drop after cycling has started.