Ammonia

[Ally555]

Where can you buy ammonia from to cycle your tank?
I live in Australia by the way.

 

[minxfishy]

Well in the uk, its hardware stores, DIY shops, so maybe its the same over there?

 

[Ally555]

I have heard it is used for cleaning.
Could it be in the cleaning section at supermarkets?

 

[minxfishy]

It may be, or a pharmacist (chemist), over here we cant get it in supermarkets, but maybe you can. Just make sure if you do find it, its not perfumed, if you shake the bottle and it foams, dont use it. It should have 9.5% pure ammonia in it.

 

[Ally555]

Thanks for that info. I'll write it down.

If it has less that 9.5% can you still use it?
Is there a minimum amount of pure ammonia that it has to have in it?

 

[MrPurplePickle]

All stores I went to only had cloudy ammonia.
I do know some people who have used the brand Black & Gold from IGA supermarkets.

 

[Ally555]

Okay, thats writen down too.

 

[minxfishy]

Thanks for that info. I'll write it down.

If it has less that 9.5% can you still use it?
Is there a minimum amount of pure ammonia that it has to have in it?

Yeah you can still use it, its just that seems to be the 'normal' amount in ammonia here, may well be different over there. No minimum amount I believe, just when you dose it, test to ensure you have the right ppm that you need for the cycle.

 

[angelfishguy]

how does ammonia cycle a tank?? sorry im a beginer.

 

[minxfishy]

Ammonia is the best way to cycle a tank, without harming any fish (obviously you dont have fish in the tank at the same time) it replicates the waste that fish produce.

Take a look thru the links in my signature, or alternatively read thru the pinned topics in the 'new to the hobby' section at the top of the forum, these will explain fishless cycling, fish in cycling and all manner of help for the beginner fish keeper

 

[jonnyf84]

Try The Wharehouse or k-mart mate.

how does ammonia cycle a tank?? sorry im a beginer.

Look in the new to the hobby section, there heaps of relevant threads there that discuss this.

 

[BeNoM]

I looked EVERYWHERE and foud out that stores can't stock it here because people were making bombs out of it or something.

My Dad got me some from a lab at his work.

 

[Ally555]

Try The Wharehouse or k-mart mate.

I'll write that down.

I looked EVERYWHERE and foud out that stores can't stock it here because people were making bombs out of it or something.

My Dad got me some from a lab at his work.

Hmmm. I'll probably still have a look for it. Is there any alternative apart from fish-in cycling?

 

[minxfishy]

You could add fish food, but its trial and error to get the right amount. Ive heard some people use prawns, drop it in and it will start to rot which will raise the levels of ammonia.

 

[Ally555]

I'll keep that in mind, but I really was hoping to be able to use ammonia. I think it would be much easier.