Scratching My Head

[seascape]

First off...im new to this forum and i am addicted to it...im a beginner and ive read most of the beginner articles and decided to do the fishless cycle. i got the tank on sunday and set it up and all and everything was about to buy the first 1/3 of the fish for my 20g tank when i decided i didnt want to put the fish through the cycle. so this morning i put ammonia (pure ammonia) in the tank (6ppm) and 9 hours later i tested the water again...the results dropped all the way down from 6ppm to .5ppm...i was very suprised to see a drop that significant on the first day of the cycle. i have been adding "stability" from seachem...(most everybody says that stuff doesnt work) but anyways i was wondering if that sudden drop was possible this quick and if the stability stuff might actually work. also if the readings were correct can i start to add the fish when it goes to zero?

 

[Boxermom]

I wouldn't recommend using Stability while doing a cycle, as once you stop, your parameters are going to go haywire.

 

[seascape]

I wouldn't recommend using Stability while doing a cycle, as once you stop, your parameters are going to go haywire.

so...what do you suggest i do? should i stop using stability now...and do a water change or something?

 

[Boxermom]

Yes, both. Do a large volume water change and don't use the Stability anymore. Don't know where you live or if its available at your LFS but the only thing that has the correct live bacteria is BioSpira.

Just use a regular declorinator (I recommend Prime) and follow the rest of the fishless cycling instructions. Don't add anything to the filter or use any other chemicals. Let the bacteria develop naturally and you'll end up with a much more stable tank.

 

[seascape]

ok thanks for the help...i live in south carolina (USA) and the only lfs i can think of is Petsmart...so ill check and see if they carry it.