Ammonia with surfactants

[borracho]

So, the only ammonia I was able to find was this one with 3 ingredients: water, ammonia, and surfactants. I might try Home Depot tomorrow, but this is kind of ridiculous just trying to gather things I need for a 10-gallon fish tank I'm trying to set up.. I'm reading on this forum that ammonia with surfactants won't work with fishless cyclying. Is there no way I can use this ammonia? The ammonia does get foam when I shake it. Some people on the internet are saying that it's OK to use.. Anybody have any experience with using ammonia with surfactants? Thanks!

 

[misterking]

As far as I know the surfactants are potentually harmful to fish and/or bacteria in the filter, most people reccommend not using it.

 

[bmoraski]

if you cant find pure ammonia, ive read you can just use fish food. although it takes longer, and is messy lol

 

[MissFishy]

Try ACE Hardware if you have one near you, if not try another hardware store. The surfectants are cleaning solutions and will poison your fish, you can't use anything but pure ammonia.

 

[littletankbigworld]

Argh...I hope my ammonia doesn't have surfactants.

 

[littletankbigworld]

Hurray! I checked and my ammonia is pure, just like I thought. I worry too much.

 

[borracho]

I accidentally stumbled onto ACE Hardware store (never been to one or seen one before) on my way back from Petco.. great! I found what I was looking for, and the fishless cycling process is on the way. This stuff smells really strong, btw.


One more question though: If I turn off the heater for the 10-gallon tank, what would be the equilibrium temperature? Will it be around room temp? I read that tetras need around 75F.. Will the water go below 75F-ish without a heater? I live in San Diego, and it never gets too cold or too hot outside.. I wonder how this affects the water temp in the tank.

 

[unwritten law]

the temperature will fluctuate and be worse than a constant low temperature.

 

[MissFishy]

You always need a heater in a tropical tank, it keeps the tank stable. Even in the warmest climates water temperature can fluctuate way too much to keep the fish healthy and happy.