Je55*e

Yes, another tank cycling thread, I'm so sorry!
I was just reading up on the stickied tips, and liked the "add and wait" suggestions. Question that may seem stupid:
Where does one buy ammonia? Just at your LFS? Is there a preferred brand?
I normally use Prime to condition my water in my established 6g tank, and it has worked well for me. An employee at one of my LFS's told me that Cycle is better to use especially for cycling a new tank, but I read around here that it's actually not so great. Should I be using the Prime yet in my new tank? When should I start doing that?
This 20g tank is my second ever tank, and I have had it running with the filter for a couple of days now. Today I squeezed all the stuff from my used filter cartridge in the tank and over the filter.
It has a sand substrate, the ornaments are in it, and I'm going to add one of the ornaments I use in my established tank. It will be a planted tank with 65w lighting (12 hrs on, 12 hrs off) and tropical fish.
I love my fish very much, and want to make perfectly sure I do everything right before adding them and any others to the new tank. If there are any tips you can give me, please, do so! =)

Shawnie

whahoooooo another tank LOL

alot of hardware stores sell pure ammonia...

prime is to be added with every water change or addition..do not use cycle ...you are right its not the bacteria you need so skip that

cutting some off the established tanks filter meida will help alot...as well as some of the deco.. make sure you get us pics~

Mike19

don't be sorry, asking questions is what this forum was built on .

before buying or adding ammonia into your tank do you have a test kit and know what the water parameters actually are?

Je55*e

So I guess home depot or something would sell it? Is there a specific type I need to get, or is it just all the same?
I have the API freshwater test kit, which I just got for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. :P I've never used it before, but I'll get it out tomorrow and see how things are going as of now.
Yes, I will certainly take pics. =)

Je55*e

Also, should I wait for the cycle to take place before adding the plants, or would they actually help things along?

TennThunder

WOW, I'm most surprised Shawnie didn't list her "raw shrimp method", Shawnie needs to patent that! Je, check Ace Hardware for the Janitorial Strength (10%) Pure Ammonia. It is VERY hard to find, I checked grocery stores, Wal Mart, 5 drug stores, Lowes, Home Depot and thankfully found it there.

Je55*e

^Thanks very much. =)

Nick G

Plants will be fine straightaway. I always add plants as soon as a tank is filled and they do fine.

TennThunder

No problem, Je. Here's the link to it on Ace's site. One quart cost me like $2.50.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...Id=40207111824

Shawnie

that wasnt the question she asked

TennThunder

lol, right, you like how I act if someone asks if the sky is blue, how I will somehow relate it to Shawnie's Shrimp Method? lol, no more of those jokes.

Je55*e

What shrimp method? Is it easier than the ammonia-adding? haha :P

And thanks, Nick.

TennThunder

You throw in a fresh shrimp in your tank and let it rot and so that will raise your ammonia levels. It's good if you're going out of town or if you can't find the pure ammonia.

Je55*e

Sounds like a good idea, more natural, anyway. I worry about putting too much ammonia in and messing things up.

TennThunder

I prefer the ammonia way, so you know exactly how much you are adding. I didn't have any luck with my pure ammonia, added it to get to 5.0 PPM, and it stayed the same after 4 weeks, no nitrites. So doing SafeStart now, getting nitrites after 2 days so that's cool

Je55*e

What is safestart?

TennThunder

It is live bacteria made by Tetra, which is supposed to cycle your tank in 2 weeks. I've tried them all and this is the only one that seems to be working. Most have the wrong type of bacteria, this one has the correct type. I'll let you know if it works for me.

Je55*e

Thank you, Tenn, I'd love to know. =)

jdhef

Tetra SafeStart is basically bacteria in a bottle. You add the proper amount of SafeStart and immeadiatly add your fish to the tank. The ammonia the fish produce activates the dormant bacteria that SafeStart contains and in about one week your tank is fully cycled.

If you use SafeStart, don't test your water or do any water changes until after one full week. At the end of the week test your water and you should have zero ammonia, zero nitrites and some nitrates.

EDIT: Well I see I was Ninja'd...again.

Je55*e

Is it all right to use SafeStart but wait to add my fish until I feel it's safe, or do I have to add them right away with it?

jdhef

If you don't add the fish right away, the bacteria in the SafeStart will starve and die off, unless you add ammonia to the tank.

Je55*e

I just worry that I'll add them and then they'll not do well because the tank wasn't previously cycled. Have you used this method before?

TennThunder

It's definitely working for me man, bc I couldn't get nitrates in 4 weeks of pure ammonia fish cycling and getting them now after 2 days of TSS. Gotta have fish in there with them, know what you mean about your fish.