Fishless cycle questions

[WinnipegDragon]

Two quick questions about our new tank.

We are starting our fishless cycle today, using live plants (in their rockwool) to seed the tank. Should we be removing our charcoal for this? I can't seem to find an answer on this.

Also, is it common to have to add a LOT of ammonia to hit 5ppm? I know that the store-bought ammonia will have varying concentration, but I needed to add 2.5mls to a 5g tank to hit 5ppm! I seem to recall needing only 4 or 5 drops to a 10g the last time I cycled a tank (8 or 9 years ago). I am using London Drugs store-brand ammonia. It doesn't foam when shaken so I don't think there are additives to it, but this would be an incredibly low concentration...

Anyhow, thanks for any advice you can offer.

[Rbishop]

Yes you can have carbon during the cycle. What size tank are you starting? Add small, test, add again and test as necessary.

[WinnipegDragon]

5g, just a nanotank for my daughter. We did 4 drops at a time of ammonia, and ended up at 50 drops by the time we got to 5ppm... I've used up half my ammonia test kit already :)