I'll be adding water (within 1 week) soon to my latest tank addition...... It's a 300 gallon acrylic with 2 massive wet/dry filters. I estimate ther to be 10-12 gallons of bio-balls between the two filters. The tank will have pool sand substrate and approx. 1000 lbs. of aquarium safe smooth black rock.
I'm interested in knowing what ammonia product to use (I know surfactants are a no-no), and how much I need to add. Is the introduction of the liquid ammonia a one time thing, or do I need to make multiple additions ? Will my saltwater kits for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate (Salifert) be OK to use for checking parameters, or do I need something specifically for freshwater ? What temperature is best for cycling this much water/media ? Does lighting have an effect on a fishless cycle ? I'm assuming that I should NOT run my UV (96w) during the cycle. Is this correct? Should I use a "seed" from one of my other tanks ? Would using the month old filter wool from a couple canisters from established tanks in conjunction with the ammonia be a good idea or not ? Would using the "seeds" by themselves be a better idea ?
So many questions..........
Thanks for your help, Jim
I'm interested in knowing what ammonia product to use (I know surfactants are a no-no), and how much I need to add. Is the introduction of the liquid ammonia a one time thing, or do I need to make multiple additions ? Will my saltwater kits for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate (Salifert) be OK to use for checking parameters, or do I need something specifically for freshwater ? What temperature is best for cycling this much water/media ? Does lighting have an effect on a fishless cycle ? I'm assuming that I should NOT run my UV (96w) during the cycle. Is this correct? Should I use a "seed" from one of my other tanks ? Would using the month old filter wool from a couple canisters from established tanks in conjunction with the ammonia be a good idea or not ? Would using the "seeds" by themselves be a better idea ?
So many questions..........
Thanks for your help, Jim