New tank with dry rock

[120reefermadnes]

I just set up a 40gal breeder and built a quick all alluminum stand for it yesterday at work and have a hang on the back refuge with skimmer and iam just starting to add water to the tank and want to put dry rock in it

Can I cycle the tank and dry rock all at the same time?

Im useing seachem stability aerobic, anaerobic and facultative bacteria to help with the cycle

Im also going to be using ro/di with reef crystals salt

Thanks guys!

 

[120reefermadnes]

And I will be cleaning and giving a vinigar bath to the rock before puting it into the tank

And by the way this is just a temp tank im setting up to house all my live stock from my main tank so I can remove all old majano covered rock and sand and im getting some nice dry rock and going BB this time also

 

[nivram]

Yes I you can cycle the dry rock in your new tank. You will want to add pure ammonia or add a raw shrimp or something to get the cycle going.

 

[120reefermadnes]

Should I even bother using that seachem additive?

 

[nivram]

Should I even bother using that seachem additive?

If you have it already go for it. But its not necessary. It might help you cycle a little quicker. I've never used it before.

 

[120reefermadnes]

Where do I buy pure ammonia

At what ratio do I add and how often?

 

[doreo]

from what ive read its kinda hard to come by and the only place i remember seeing it was a dollar store. i just used the shrimp method.

 

[nivram]

Where do I buy pure ammonia

At what ratio do I add and how often?

I found mine at the dollar store. If you are I lauderhill, bring a jar and ill how you some.

 

[nivram]

I can post a pic of the bottle if you want. It can't have any surficants or scents, etc.

 

[120reefermadnes]

I found mine at the dollar store. If you are I lauderhill, bring a jar and ill how you some.

A pic might help if u could

How much would I need to get the tank going?

If I read correctly u said if I bring a jar u could let me get some(ill pay you if needed) if thats so can we just meet off altlantic by that bank?(and the amount u can spare will be all I need?

 

[degibson84]

from what ive read its kinda hard to come by and the only place i remember seeing it was a dollar store. i just used the shrimp method.

I am a Store Manager at Dollar General and I would not recommend using our store brand ammonia it is lemon scented. Now some of our larger format stores do carry plain clear ammonia that could be used

 

[nivram]

This is the brand I used? It took me a while to find it. I found it at the dollar store (actual name unknown) just south of 595 off university.

I highly recommend you get a ammonia badge too.

I added ammonia until the badge was showing the alarm color or close to it.

I then would wait until the color changed back to normal.

I repeated this process until it would cycle thru these color changes in a 24 hour period.

What I didn't do but should have is watched my nitrates and phosphates go up then drop down.

Hope that helps. Text me if you want the ammonia. Ill just give it too you.

 

[doreo]

pics didnt post

 

[nivram]

This is the brand I used? It took me a while to find it. I found it at the dollar store (actual name unknown) just south of 595 off university.

I highly recommend you get a ammonia badge too.

I added ammonia until the badge was showing the alarm color or close to it.

I then would wait until the color changed back to normal.

I repeated this process until it would cycle thru these color changes in a 24 hour period.

What I didn't do but should have is watched my nitrates and phosphates go up then drop down.

Hope that helps. Text me if you want the ammonia. Ill just give it too you.

 

[Adam13]

All ace hardware stores sell clear white ammonia. It is in an opaque white bottle. Says Janitorial Strength Ammonia. It is a10% ammonium hydroxide solution. It was about $4.00 for a gallon. Bottle looks like this.

http://m.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1307957

http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling

 

[Adam13]

Here is a better article. It includes a volume estimation of ammonia to add.

http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/

Googling ammonia and rock brough up some sketchy results....