Fatal Mistake, Oh God!

[Jeremy180]

Ace hardware store brand ammonia is what I'm using to cycle my tank right now.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

There is no proper ammonia in (my region of) CA.

  The only ammonia we have is that lemon scented cleaning garbage that foams when you shake it a bit. I tried looking on ebay, but it's extremely expensive even without shipping.

 
That's exactly what I find in NZ, it is soo annoying! 
 
I've been told my several people that if you can get some unscented ammonia, as long as you don't shake it up, it will be fine. Not sure how safe it actually is though, since I only found out about that after using some dead shrimp >.<
 
Might be worth a try though.....

 

[DreamertK]

 

There is no proper ammonia in (my region of) CA.

  The only ammonia we have is that lemon scented cleaning garbage that foams when you shake it a bit. I tried looking on ebay, but it's extremely expensive even without shipping.

 
That's exactly what I find in NZ, it is soo annoying! 
 
I've been told my several people that if you can get some unscented ammonia, as long as you don't shake it up, it will be fine. Not sure how safe it actually is though, since I only found out about that after using some dead shrimp >.<
 
Might be worth a try though.....
 

Literally the only ammonia I've seen in any store is the yellow lemon cleaning ammonia.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

 

 


There is no proper ammonia in (my region of) CA.

  The only ammonia we have is that lemon scented cleaning garbage that foams when you shake it a bit. I tried looking on ebay, but it's extremely expensive even without shipping.

 
That's exactly what I find in NZ, it is soo annoying! 
 
I've been told my several people that if you can get some unscented ammonia, as long as you don't shake it up, it will be fine. Not sure how safe it actually is though, since I only found out about that after using some dead shrimp >.<
 
Might be worth a try though.....
 

Literally the only ammonia I've seen in any store is the yellow lemon cleaning ammonia.

 


 

 
Just curious, have you tried Amazon? I know quite a few people have ordered from there.

 

[daizeUK]

In the US you can buy ammonium chloride from Dr Tim http/store.drtimsaquatics.com/Ammonium-Chloride-Solution-for-Fishless-Cycling_p_190.html

 

[Ch4rlie]

Just curious since am from UK, is it the importing laws or airports that are so strict with anything that could pose a threat to wildlife, fauna and human life?

Is there no such thing as applying for permits or licence to be able to import a single bottle of ammonia strictly for fish keeping through a LFS or something like that?

I know that ammonia can be used for a multitude of things including illegal activities therefore difficult to obtain.

Sorry if this seems silly and ignorant but is an interesting subject from a UK viewpoint as we can pretty much walk into a hardware store or easily order online on Amazon or eBay for these.

 

[daizeUK]

It's actually much harder to buy ammonia in the UK than it used to be.  They clamped down on the laws here too and a lot of places like Boots stopped selling it.  Homebase is the only place I've heard of that still sells it off the shelf.

 

[Ch4rlie]

That true, Daize, I should have said compared to NZ and Australia getting ammonia in UK is a breeze.

I must admit I had a bit of a time finding it in hardware store as well until eBay came to rescue!

 

[Sophie]

I brought like 12 bottles from Homebase. Went a bit mad!

 

[Ch4rlie]

Lol

12 bottles!

Well you won't run out anytime soon, even if you set up 5 brand new tanks that need cycling in every room in your house!

I still have my one bottle, still almost full!

 

[Sophie]

Not sure if it would have an expiry date of some sort?

 

[daizeUK]

Lol Sophie the police are probably keeping an eye on you!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Just curious since am from UK, is it the importing laws or airports that are so strict with anything that could pose a threat to wildlife, fauna and human life?

Is there no such thing as applying for permits or licence to be able to import a single bottle of ammonia strictly for fish keeping through a LFS or something like that?

I know that ammonia can be used for a multitude of things including illegal activities therefore difficult to obtain.

Sorry if this seems silly and ignorant but is an interesting subject from a UK viewpoint as we can pretty much walk into a hardware store or easily order online on Amazon or eBay for these.

 
TBH, I've never thought seriously of importing it, since I have read of others trying and having to pay a fortune then ending up declined. Much easier and cheaper just to use a dead shrimp
 
I'm pretty sure it is the law, it is super annoying, since a lot of fish and plants are unavailable, I can't even get shrimp!
Anything that poses a risk to native life is illegal, the law was enforced after gambusia got into waterways after careless people let them go, the gambusia started destroying native plants and fish, and they're still a big problem. Also, plants like duckweed have began also take over the waterways. It is really annoying and sad that it only takes a few careless people to ruin it for everyone
 
I've read about people entering the country with fish strapped onto them, they get caught, go to jail, and the fish get destroyed. It is sad really

 

[DreamertK]

 

 


 


There is no proper ammonia in (my region of) CA.

  The only ammonia we have is that lemon scented cleaning garbage that foams when you shake it a bit. I tried looking on ebay, but it's extremely expensive even without shipping.

 
That's exactly what I find in NZ, it is soo annoying! 
 
I've been told my several people that if you can get some unscented ammonia, as long as you don't shake it up, it will be fine. Not sure how safe it actually is though, since I only found out about that after using some dead shrimp >.<
 
Might be worth a try though.....
 

Literally the only ammonia I've seen in any store is the yellow lemon cleaning ammonia.

 


 

 
Just curious, have you tried Amazon? I know quite a few people have ordered from there.
 


I've never used Amazon for purchases, though I would think that I would have tried there... It was a long time ago.