I have 5ppm ammonia in my tank

F

FastFish

AC Members
Jan 1, 2004
43
0
0
38
Visit site
Hello!

So, I've finally done it. I went and bought a 29g, going to be my first tropical tank ever!

Anway, being a college chemistry student, I have decided to take the fishless cycling path. I'm using generic ammonia cleaner from wal-mart, using the ammonia test kit (two-reagant salicylate from Aquarium Pharma.) I analyzed it to be about 4% ammonia, so I added 10ml to my tank with a syringe and mixed it up a bit, the test says its 4-5 ppm in the tank (:cool: ). I have about 1.5-2 inches of small, natural-color gravel. In a few minutes I will turn on the Penguin 170 (rated 50g) and see if it works.

In short, current specs (will get more tests later when I get fish):

pH: 7.5 +/- 0.3 (not very precise :rolleyes: )
kH: 75 ppm (mg/L)
gH: 80 ppm (mg/L)
NO3, Nitrates: 20ppm (from tap water)
NO2, Nitrites: 0ppm
Ammonia: 5ppm ;)

I am going for a heavily-planted aquarium, I'll probably start gardening before the cycling is finished as, correct me if I'm wrong, plants absorb ammonia and nitrates and don't mind them. I will probably use the Hagen reactor system for CO2 injection, either one or two units.

I'm not really sure yet how to stock, maybe 2-3 dwarf gouramis, a school maybe of neons OR rasboras OR some other smallish tetras, a few otos, and maybe if i have room some danios to mix everything up.

Any suggestions?

Btw, I am getting a nice digital camera soon, expect some pictures.
 
That was a frightening subject line attached to a very happy message. Many, many props for going the fishless route with your first tank. I'm impressed. I'll be setting up a 20- or 30-gallon tank this summer, which I also hope to fishless cycle, so I'll be interested to follow your experience with it.
 
Sounds like you're in good shape so far...

One thing to watch for: with KH that low, you're at risk of burning thru your buffer as the fishless cycle progresses. You might want to consider augmenting your buffer with baking soda or some other calcareous substance while cycling, or there's a risk of pH crash from bioacidification.

Otherwise, sounds like you're off to a good start!

Jim
 
_Do not_ I repeat, do not plant your tank until the cycle is over... if you do plant your tank before the cycle is complete, get ready to do battle against algae blooms. Its not really the high nitrates that cause big algae blooms (though they do play a role), it is mostly the ammonia that triggers large algae blooms.

When I was experimenting on my 15 gallon plant tank (while I was still getting my toes wet in the world of plant aquaira), I tried adding ammonia to my tank to see if it would improve plant growth... what did I get? Nothing but a crude load of algae. Let me tell you... its much easier to prevent algae, than to battle it.

I commend you on going the fishless cycle route. Its great to see new comers to the hobby read up on how to take care of fish before they jump into it. Keep it up! =)

-Richer
 
Thanks for all the support and advice!

Richer: Thanks, I certainly do not want algae blooms.

JSchmidt: I am following the kH, if the gravel doesn't bring it up soon I shall beef up the buffer as you suggest.

TPIRman: Good luck! I shall try to make many extravagant, educational errors for your benefit.

Well, I turned on the filter and it works perfectly, the running-water sound is very aesthetic. Oddly however, tiny bubbles are forming in regular horizantal lines all across the inside of the tank... any ideas? I washed it very thoroughly, I don't know where the lines are coming from.

I'm worrying perhaps my pH is getting a bit high (7.6-7.7 now), will gravel make it higher (it said so on the package)? I hope CO2 injection will bring it safely down.

Another question... the hood that came with my aquarium has only one bulb-space, can I get a single bulb bright enough for plants (metal halide?) hopefully with a decent spectrum? Should I get a new hood?
 
Last edited:
Check out www.ahsupply.com for lighting if you want something cost effective. I bought a 4x55 watt CF kit from there for my 70 gallon tank... its been running for a year and half without a hitch (and trust me, I _suck_ at doing DIY stuff... its a miracle the kit worked for me).

What kind of substrate are you using? It is actually quite possible that your substrate is raising the pH of your tank (by raising the KH of your water). CO2 injection will definately bring down the pH of your tank, if its done correctly... for example, the water in my fish tanks have KH levels in the area of around 8... sometimes peaking out at 10 depending on the water that comes outta my tap... with CO2 injection, my plant tank has a pH of around 7.2. Normally, my pH would be in the range of around 8.

The Hagen CO2 kit does work well, but you need to remember that you have to replace the mixture in the generator regularly... else if the CO2 output stops, you risk getting an algae outbreak. I experimented with the kit on my 20gallon bowfront during the summer.. and it worked pretty good, but I still prefer the pressurized system I have going on my 70 gallon ;).

Its too bad you already went out and bought a penguin filter... HOB filters are generally not wanted on a CO2 injected tank. The surface disruption that the filter will create (plus that bio-wheel), may help the CO2 in your tank escape before your plants can utilize it... in essence counteracting what you're trying to achieve. If you can, get another filter... the prefered plant filter for an average sized tank is a canister.

HTH
-Richer
 
What did you mean by "will get more tests when I get fish"? I would prefer to do all my tests before I put fish in to make sure the cycle is finished and the water is ready for the fish.:confused:
 
I had the same problem with the horizontal lines of bubbles. I think they're just from the watermarks as you put each bucket of water in when you filled the tank. I wiped mine off with the edge of the fish net.
 
Kudo's on the fishless cycle, Good luck with your tank.

I had the same problem with the horizontal lines of bubbles. I think they're just from the watermarks as you put each bucket of water in when you filled the tank. I wiped mine off with the edge of the fish net.
Click to expand...

This is probably the case, wipe them off with an algea scraper or sponge, they should leave.
 
The Inspector, I mean I will start monitoring CO2 and iron and stuff later on - but BEFORE actually putting fish into a tank of unknown water, of course.

specialK - you are exactly right, I added an extra inch of water this morning and got a couple more watermarks. They dissolve after a couple of hours.

That reminds me, the spillover of my HOB filter was spraying out of the tank, I figured the water level was to low (waterfall very high) and added 3 more gallons, now it looks much better but there is much less surface agitation, it was really powerful with a 1.5 inch waterfall, complete with undertow and riptides. I also plugged some holes with sponge matter, now there is no more danger of the room being flooded,

Richer - I believe that is the case about the kH/pH, I am using natural gravel and the package said it raises pH. I will measure again today, see if it made a difference.

I didn't know my trusty Penguin would interfere with CO2 injection. :sad I guess I must get a canister, any recommendations? And what should I do with the cycling stuff, should I stop and start again with the new filter? I don't know what I'll do with the Penguin, I will have an extra filter, guess I ought to get another tank for it...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom