Calling All Brits- Fishless Cycle Ammonia Query

[missPenguin]

Hi Guys,

Thanks to my wonderful colleague, I have got my hands on some ammonia with an intent to using it on my quarentine tank to do a fishless cycle [no WAY am I cycling with fish ever again].

However, I have a query about ammonia in general. What I have is Boots Household Ammonia [believe me, we had difficulty getting that] which says it is an ammonia solution of 9.5% W/W. Apparently pure ammonia is only available under license.

Now I know I cannot use anything that has perfumes or anything added and I do not think it has anything like that in it as it certainly smells like nothing has been added and there are no extra ingredients listed on the side of the bottle. When I swirl it, a few white bubbles come to the surface. I have a dim memory of someone somewhere saying this meant it had additives, but I quite honestly couldn't be sure.

So, is this ammonia safe to use for my fishless cycle?

 

[dwarfgourami]

I believe this one is safe, have heard of others using it. If it had surfactants in it it should really foam, not just a few bubbles. And the concentration is the same as I used, it's what you're going to find.

 

[docbanzai]

Hi Guys,

Thanks to my wonderful colleague, I have got my hands on some ammonia with an intent to using it on my quarentine tank to do a fishless cycle [no WAY am I cycling with fish ever again].

However, I have a query about ammonia in general. What I have is Boots Household Ammonia [believe me, we had difficulty getting that] which says it is an ammonia solution of 9.5% W/W. Apparently pure ammonia is only available under license.

Now I know I cannot use anything that has perfumes or anything added and I do not think it has anything like that in it as it certainly smells like nothing has been added and there are no extra ingredients listed on the side of the bottle. When I swirl it, a few white bubbles come to the surface. I have a dim memory of someone somewhere saying this meant it had additives, but I quite honestly couldn't be sure.

So, is this ammonia safe to use for my fishless cycle?

Ears prick up.... Where, where, where??? I'm having a hell of a job finding ammonia. Do they sell this at any old Boots store? I live in Devon and most of the chemist down 'ere haven't a clue.

Sorry to rudely leap in with both feet, but any info gratefully received!

Cheers

 

[lizjamie]

I have what sounds like exactly the same thing from home base, homebase household ammonia, 9%. Believe me that stuff is strong when you open the lid, if thats 9% then I am glad I cant get full strength!!!
I am using that for my fishless cycle, but I am v new to this so wouldnt trust me.

 

[missPenguin]

I know the 9% stuff stinks!!!

Doc, We got this stuff in Boots the Chemist in my local branch. We're not the most advanced branch in the world either, trust me.

The Stuff I have got my hands on is in a white bottle, approx 8 1/2 " high [500ml]. The label is white and it has a big light blue cross on it and says in darker blue writing 'House Hold Ammonia'. It will be in the household section. I don't know anything about the homebase stuff though. Hope this helps and good luck in finding some of the stuff.

 

[docbanzai]

Thanks, I really appreciate the pointer. Hopefully I'll be able to get hold of some stuff soon. Duh never thought to look to major retailers for it!

Thanks again to all!

DB

 

[mark.w.jones]

I got the homebase stuff. It was only £1.99 as well. It's in with their other cleaning products. I even found time to phone and find out what ingrediants it has in it. Some very helpful customer services person even emailed the list to me. It just contains Ammonium Hydroxide solution and nothing else so is perfect for fishless cycling. You do need to add quite a lot of it though. I was having to add 35 drops from a 5ml pipette just to raise ammonia levels to 3ppm!

 

[pieman]

If your really having trouble finding ammonia, you may want to put fish food in your tank, or wee in your tank

 

[Wanda hornsey]

Kleenezee the people that put that home shopping catalogue through the door do it too, I got some at a local hardware shop after looking for weeks!

 

[annka5]

I second the hombase ammonia, I used it it worked fine.
Weeing in the tank would introduce a lot of urea / uric acid, which is not a good plan. As wells as being gross....
Apparantly you can't get pure ammonia without licence as you can use it to synthesize crack cocaine....A font of usefull information!

 

[missPenguin]

I did try putting the food in the tank to cycle it and all I got was a horrible smelly messy tank! In fact I had to completely dismantle and clean it last night in preparation for it's fishless cycle, took me best part of an evening let me tell you. Thank god it was my 5 gallon as oppose to the 25 gallon!

Many thanks for all the replies guys

I will be adding my first bit of ammonia tonight, so fingers crossed and I will keep you updated!

 

[piper]

I third the homebase stuff

 

[FBF]

If your really having trouble finding ammonia, you may want to put fish food in your tank, or wee in your tank

yep or a few prawns dropped in the tank will rot very quickly to produce the ammonia. and nothing to remove after the cycle.

 

[black angel]

When adding fish food you have to place it directly at the intake.

 

[FBF]

When adding fish food you have to place it directly at the intake.

if it was me id use prawns but if you want to use fish food wrap it in an old sock or something and just place it on the bottom of the tank. this way you can remove it all when the tank is cycled.