Newbie Fishless Cycling

Aquaman

Large Fish
Oct 22, 2002
116
0
0
South Africa
#1
Hi, All

I have just started a fishless cycle on my new 4-foot, 75 gallon tank, Eheim 2026 filter.  I have a couple of questions.   (1) I have been using Cloudy Ammonia to kickstart the cycling process (no ingredients listed on the bottle).  Is Cloudy Ammonia bad?  (2) I am cycling without the plants - do I have to wait until the end of the cycling process to add the plants i.e. when the ammonia and nitrite levels are zero?  or can I add the plants during the cycling process?  (3)  I am currently curing some driftwood while the cycling process continues.  Can I add the driftwood to the tank while it is still cycling?

Thanks for your help.  I am a complete beginner and would appreciate your advice.
 

R

ronrca

Guest
#2
There is a good article in the article section if you have not already read it.

1 - Im not sure what Cloudy Ammonia is and have never heard about it. Lets hope that its ok. You can try to find out who makes it and ask them.

2 - Adding plants during you cycle is fine and maybe even recommended. Plants actually use ammonia, nitrite and nitrate as 'fertilzer'.

3 - Adding driftwood is fine also.

I hope that helps. Any more questions, ask away. We are always willing to lend a hand.
 

JWright

Superstar Fish
Oct 22, 2002
2,192
7
0
40
Snowy Upstate New York
www.cnytheater.com
#3
Plants and drift-wood are fine to add, and as ronrca mentioned, they'll actually help speed the cycle. Plants use ammonia and other nitrogen compounds, so they become part of yor bio-filter, and drift-wood provides additional surfaces for bacterial colonization.

I've also never heard of "Cloudy Ammonia". Is it really cloudy? This probably wouldn't be good, you want your ammonia to be clear. What happens when you shake the bottle? Does it foam? I would also reccomend contacting the manufacturer.

Josh
 

huck

Small Fish
Oct 22, 2002
43
0
0
#4
Yeah, if you shake it and it foams up at the top then it is no good...  The only 3 ingrediants you want in the bottle is Ammonia, water, and chelating agent.
 

Aquaman

Large Fish
Oct 22, 2002
116
0
0
South Africa
#6
Hi, All

Thanks for the advice.  I shook the bottle of ammonia, per your suggestions, and watched in dismay as foam appeared at the top of the bottle - this brand obviously includes detergent.  Day 4 of taking this up as a hobby, and I have already made a mess of things!  Oh, well, I can only learn...

Regards.
::)
 

R

ronrca

Guest
#8
Fish flake is guess would work however not as effective as ammonia since the flakes first would have to decompose into ammonia, then bacteria grows, etc. It would take longer. Ammonia would still be the best way to go.
 

huck

Small Fish
Oct 22, 2002
43
0
0
#10
JWright, I didn't really meen that you want/need chelating agent, I just meant that its ok to have in there, and that most bottled ammonia contains chelating agent...