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Fishless cycling - with ammonia
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2104		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  skygazer [ Sep 21st, '07, 07:15 ]
Post subject:  Fishless cycling - with ammonia
For those that have tried fishless cycling with pure ammonia I have a couple of questions:

did you get a large PH change during the cycle?
if so did it stabilise after the cycling was complete?
Did you do any water changes during the cyclling?
How long did it take and what amount of water were you cycling?

Where did you get your ammonia supply from?

Thanks
Author:  Dave Donley [ Sep 21st, '07, 09:34 ]
Post subject: 
Hi skygazer:

No, not that I noticed
N/A
No
2 weeks, about 150 gallons (560L)
Weis grocery store chain (regional in Eastern U.S., tried half dozen other stores and they either didn't have it or it foamed which means it had detergents which would kill the fish)
Author:  tamo42 [ Sep 21st, '07, 11:48 ]
Post subject: 
What about good old Human Compost Activator? Aka pee?
Author:  janethesselberth [ Sep 21st, '07, 19:54 ]
Post subject: 
Urine is much more easily sourced than pure ammonia. Be sure the donor is healthy and free of medications. Be careful of fecal contamination. And don't tell your wife.
Author:  veggie boy [ Sep 21st, '07, 20:10 ]
Post subject: 
I agree - urine is easy to get and works well ;-)
Author:  tamo42 [ Sep 21st, '07, 22:02 ]
Post subject: 
I agree... don't tell your wife :)
Author:  Dave Donley [ Sep 21st, '07, 23:16 ]
Post subject: 
I agree.. be careful of fecal contamination :wink:
Author:  RupertofOZ [ Sep 21st, '07, 23:24 ]
Post subject: 
For sure.... this is certainly no fecal matter :wink:
Author:  steve [ Sep 22nd, '07, 16:04 ]
Post subject: 
i'm not touching this one ;) LOL
Author:  skygazer [ Sep 24th, '07, 07:17 ]
Post subject: 
tamo42 wrote:
What about good old Human Compost Activator? Aka pee?


Thats fine, but how much will I need to start a 2000L system?
Author:  steve [ Sep 24th, '07, 15:02 ]
Post subject: 
well, originally SOME people thought you'd need a football team...........VB should be able to give you a rough guide, but you'll probably be more likely to run into overdosing situations rather than not having enough!
Author:  RupertofOZ [ Sep 24th, '07, 15:06 ]
Post subject: 
The concensus seems to be... surprisingly little..... try some then test the next day or two after.... if need be add extra and test again... :D
Author:  TimC [ Sep 24th, '07, 15:11 ]
Post subject: 
I say put in as much as you can, if it can cycle on more than whats required then that is a good thing. You know then you can have more fish straight away...
Author:  steve [ Sep 24th, '07, 18:35 ]
Post subject: 
Tim, there are scattered reports (and some confirmations) that over a certain ppm ammonia might inhibit good bacteria growth.

I'd say get a test kit, "dose" till you have say 2ppm, then "re-dose" when it comes down to say 0.5ppm.

you can probably consider yourself cycled when it will process the 2ppm down to zero in a day and you have no nitrites.

Steve
Author:  veggie boy [ Sep 24th, '07, 18:53 ]
Post subject: 
I've had the bacteria working fine at over 8ppm ammonia, but I agree it is probably best to work up to it. Get the biofilter processing as much as it will handle and you will be in good shape for when you add the fish - because the bacteria will then reduce to the required level.
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