Something's Fishy With My Fishless Cycle

[hotpink143]

Thanks, that kit looked like the best one at the shop. And the most expensive. Hah.

I'm not sure what the % of Ammonia is. The bottle just says Clear Ammonia. Ingredients: Ammonium Hydroxide and Surfactant.

Added an addition 6 ml

Be back in 15 minutes!

 

[fatheadminnow]

Thanks, that kit looked like the best one at the shop. And the most expensive. Hah.

I'm not sure what the % of Ammonia is. The bottle just says Clear Ammonia. Ingredients: Ammonium Hydroxide and Surfactant.

Added an addition 6 ml

Be back in 15 minutes!

Okay sounds good!

Will be awaiting your response!

EDIT: According to the Aquarium Calculator, your bottle of Ammonia has 2% of Ammonia.... I never seen a bottle with such a low ammonia amount?

-FHM

 

[Amunet]

Stop using that ammonia and do a 100% water change. Might need to clean everything out.
Surfacants is a big no no.

Try to find a hardware store or a dollar store or something around you.
If you have an Ace Hardware anywhere near you, they sell pure ammonia. Make sure there is nothing but ammonia and water.

 

[LionessN3cubs]

Stop using that ammonia and do a 100% water change. Might need to clean everything out.
Surfacants is a big no no.

Try to find a hardware store or a dollar store or something around you.
If you have an Ace Hardware anywhere near you, they sell pure ammonia. Make sure there is nothing but ammonia and water.

Good catch...! I was gonna reply to her post and say the same thing then saw that you beat me to it LOL


and Yeah I'd bet everything has to be emptied and cleaned REALLY well so the fish you eventually put in that tank wont get poisoned...surfactants are cleaners to my understanding bad bad bad

 

[fatheadminnow]

Stop using that ammonia and do a 100% water change. Might need to clean everything out.
Surfacants is a big no no.

Try to find a hardware store or a dollar store or something around you.
If you have an Ace Hardware anywhere near you, they sell pure ammonia. Make sure there is nothing but ammonia and water.

That would make sense why the Ammonia is only 2%.

Sorry to hear this!

-FHM

 

[hotpink143]

!!!!!!! Damn!!!!!!!!


lol. Wow. Sorry I wasted your time Minnow!!

I remember reading the fishless cycle thread that's pinned, and it said if it bubbles up when you shake it then it's bad. Well, it didn't do that. Of course, I didn't remember the part that said no surfactants.


Wowwwwww. That sucks.

Thanks for everyone's help.

I really appreciate it!

I'll start all over.

 

[fatheadminnow]

lol, you didn't waste my time, I love helping people out!

I am just glad that we caught this now, and not later down the line.

Just go ahead and clean out your tank, filter and all decor/substrate.

You can use water and scrub it out.

OR

Use one part bleach to 10 parts water and scrub it out with a plastic scrubber.

If you go the bleach way, make sure you rinse it out with water afterward, and then double up on water conditioner when adding water to the tank for the first time.

Please let us know how everything goes, and so then we can get you started on a fishless cycle again using the correct Ammonia.

Sorry to hear this once again, and I hope it didn't bring your hopes down too far.

We always hit speed bumps along the way. The important thing is that we get over them and back up to speed!

And we are here to help you do that!

-FHM

 

[hotpink143]

Ok, will do.

It is a little discouraging, more than anything I feel silly for not making sure I had the right stuff!

But, I am determined to get my fry into a bigger home!! Hehe.

Thanks again and I'll let you know when I get everything cleaned out and re-filled and find the right ammonia!

 

[fatheadminnow]

Glad to hear that you're going to keep at it!

-FHM

 

[alanbur]

The bottle just says Clear Ammonia. Ingredients: Ammonium Hydroxide and Surfactant.

Surfactant == detergent - good for soap bubbles and not much else ;-)