Just a few questions...

[Sunnyspots]

Gargling with salt water after tooth extraction; salt baths after childbirth etc

Hahaha, I wasn't going to mention childbirth!

 

[Byron]

Ace Hardware was closed. I can only find Ammonium Chloride. How do I mix it

What is this for? Don't put this in the tank, whatever the reason.

Is aquarium salt good to keep at standby in case my fish get ich or something?

As others have I think mentioned, you treat ich with increased heat. Salt has a different use, I won't go into that, but it is OK to have some aquarium salt (API produce this, others likely do as well) but it must be kept very dry. If moisture from the air gets in the open container, it can weaken the salt (or something, I know it is not advisable).

Other forums state that API melafix is fine. why do you disagree? Also, pls answer question above about ammonium chloride..

Melafix and Primafix should not be used, period. There is known evidence that some fish can be seriously impacted by these. Personally I doubt they have much value anyway, whatever the "problem." Clean water and not using chemicals/medications unless absolutely essential will result in healthy fish. And avoiding stress, and stress (which is the cause of 90% of fish disease/problems) will occur with almost any medication/chemical/substance added to the tank water.

What is the ammonium chloride for?

 

[Essjay]

Animallover wants to do a fishless cycle and use ammonium chloride for that since there is no ammonia solution available.

 

[Colin_T]

what about dry fish pellets or raw/ cooked prawn for cycling the tank?
just add a small amount of hard dry pellet food or a bit of prawn and wait until the ammonia level is 3ppm. Then remove the food and let it cycle.

 

[Animallover😍]

I'd prefer to use ammonia Colin_T.

 

[Lajos_Detari]

Is your Ammonium Chloride same as the one sold by Dr Tim?

Solution for Fishless Cycling | Ammonium Chloride | DrTim's Aquatics

DrTim's solutions to add ammonium chloride during fishless cycling in conjunction with using One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria.

www.drtimsaquatics.com

You can read this on how to do fishless cycle(step by step) by Dr Tim with his products:
Read carefully as there is a lot of information here.

Fishless Cycling | DrTim's Aquatics

The term "fishless cycling" refers to the process of establishing the nitrifying bacteria in a newly set-up aquarium without using fish which are used in the traditional cycling method. The problem associated with using fish in the cycling period is that normally, when establishing the...

www.drtimsaquatics.com

Also, get his live bacteria. Get the one for freshwater and not the marine fish as their prices are different.

Treat Aquarium Nitrite & Ammonia | One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria

Eliminate New Tank Syndrom when setting up a new tank or after cleaning water & filters with DrTim's One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria

www.drtimsaquatics.com

You can also try other brands of live bacteria which may be cheaper such as Tetra Safe Start, API Quick Start, NT Lab Filter Starter, FritzZyme 7 Freshwater.

SafeStart™ Plus | Tetra®

Tetra SafeStart Plus, 3.38 Ounce, Water Treatment For Newly Set-Up Fish Aquariums

www.tetra-fish.com

API® | QUICK START™

API® QUICK START nitrifying bacteria allows for the instant addition of fish, as it immediately starts the natural aquarium cycle.

apifishcare.com

Aquarium Water Treatment - Filter Starter from NT Labs

Belonging to the best range of 'Water Treatments' awarded by the Pratical Fishkeeping Manufacturers Poll. Filter Starter is a live culture of friendly bacteria for your filter. It contains Bacillus megaterium, B. pumilis, B. licheniformis, Paenbacillius polymyxa, Nitrosomonas spp., Nitrobacter...

www.ntlabs.co.uk

FritzZyme® 7 Freshwater

Fritz Aquatics' FritzZyme® 7 Freshwater is a live, nitrifying bacteria used to rapidly eliminate toxic ammonia and nitrites in freshwater tanks.

fritzaquatics.com

If not, you can try to buy online though they are expensive.

DrTim’s Aquatics Ammonium Chloride Solution: 2 oz, Malaysia | Ubuy

Shop DrTim’s Aquatics Ammonium Chloride Solution: 2 oz, Treats 100 gal. online at a best price in Malaysia. B006MP4QG6

www.ubuy.com.my

Buy Premium 8oz Freshwater Online Malaysia | Ubuy

Shop online for the One and Only Freshwater 8oz on Ubuy. Get the best prices and deals on freshwater products at Ubuy Malaysia.

www.ubuy.com.my

 

[Animallover😍]

Is your Ammonium Chloride same as the one sold by Dr Tim?

No, I am getting ammonium chloride that is not branded for aquarium use. Also, Dr Tim's is very pricy.

100g Ammonium Chloride | Lazada

Buy 100g Ammonium Chloride online at Lazada Malaysia. Discount prices and promotional sale on all Lawn & Garden. Free Shipping.

www.lazada.com.my

Also, get his live bacteria. Get the one for freshwater and not the marine fish as their prices are different.

I already have nitrifying bacteria that has good reviews.
https://www.lazada.com.my/products/...ed-capsules-water-quality-purifier-supplies-f

Read his fishless cycling link. Thanks!

 

[Byron]

It would be much safer to go the "silent cycle" route. You mention intending plants, so set up the tank with the plants, and once they are showing signs of growth you can add fish. No ammonia, no "cycling" as such. I've been setting up dozens of tanks this way for years.

 

[Animallover😍]

I never heard of the silent cycling method. It seems like a great way to cycle my tank quickly and safely. Thanks!

 

[Animallover😍]

Is this good substrate for the plants?

🔥Ready Stock🔥1L 3L AQUA Amazon Soil for Aquarium Planted Tank Water Plant Soil Sand Aquascape ADA Quality | Lazada

Features: 1. With high stability, not easy to decompose and will not make the water muddy. 2. Contains rich organic acid and nutritional ingredient that can promote the growth of aquarium plants. 3. Can make most aquarium plants adapting to weak acid water quality grows well. 4. Simple to...

www.lazada.com.my

 

[Byron]

Is this good substrate for the plants?

🔥Ready Stock🔥1L 3L AQUA Amazon Soil for Aquarium Planted Tank Water Plant Soil Sand Aquascape ADA Quality | Lazada

Features: 1. With high stability, not easy to decompose and will not make the water muddy. 2. Contains rich organic acid and nutritional ingredient that can promote the growth of aquarium plants. 3. Can make most aquarium plants adapting to weak acid water quality grows well. 4. Simple to...

www.lazada.com.my

It is the fish that should determine the substrate, as some are impacted by what they have to root around in; some need inert sand. I've forgotten where we are in this thread with fish, but this should be considered.

I personally would never again waste my money on so-called plant substrates. They may (or more likely may not) have much benefit for plants, but they can have significant issues for fish.

 

[Animallover😍]

Would it be ok to buy inert substrate for the tank and put the soil/substrate for plants only around the plant itself?

 

[NannaLou]

I only have play sand in my tanks and my plants grow amazingly well…

 

[Animallover😍]

Wow! Then I'll get inert substrate. For the silent cycle, I have chosen these plants: Amazon Sword, hornwort, Water Wisteria, Frogbit, Java Moss and Ludwigia Natans Super Red. Sounds good?

 

[Essjay]

If you use an inert substrate, Amazon swords will need root tablet fertiliser placed in the substrate near the roots and a new one put in according to the instructions every few months. Hornwort, frogbit and Java moss need a liquid fertiliser added to the water as they take up nutrients through their leaves. I don't know which group water wisteria and ludwigia fall into but some else will.

Planted/silent cycling

So ya got yourself a fish tank, and now you're wondering how to cycle it. You have a few options: 1) Fishless cycle: Set up your substrate and filter (decorations and plants are optional), buy pure ammonia, add enough to your tank to read 3ppm, wait. Full instructions here...

www.fishforums.net