Fishless Cycling

[sherrie p cockram]

I have just drained my system. My tap water tests at 4.0 and I filled my system with it. Have been fighting with it since June 1st. So we refilled yesterday with water that has a PH value of 7.0. I would like to get cycled so I can add fish by the end of September. I have a 300 gallon fish tank. In all my system holds 800 gallons of water. I was thinking of ordering the Aquacycle medum fishless cycling kit (100 - 300 gallons). Has anyone used this? Is medium enough for a 300 gallon tank or should I go with the large? Also, does this kit work like it says it does? thanks

[Alex Veidel]

Ma'am, one freaking tablespoon at a time. Can't stress that enough. I just picked up a phrase today courtesy of "Tradewind" here on the forum: measure by the cap, not the cup :)

Go ahead and add one tablespoon of ammonia, let it run through your system for a couple hours and test your water. Keep adding until you get to 4ppm and keep the levels there. If it goes above that, stop adding ammonia.

sherrie p cockram said:

My ammonia level is .50 ppm and of course nitrites are 0. I have a 300 gallon fish tank and between the fish tank the 2 media beds and the 2 floating raft beds and 2 sump tanks the system holds 800 gallons of water. I need to raise the ammonia level don't I? How much ammonia should I ad?

[sherrie p cockram]

Thank you Alex! I just added 1 TBS. Will post results as I test later! sherrie

Alex Veidel said:

Ma'am, one freaking tablespoon at a time. Can't stress that enough. I just picked up a phrase today courtesy of "Tradewind" here on the forum: measure by the cap, not the cup

Go ahead and add one tablespoon of ammonia, let it run through your system for a couple hours and test your water. Keep adding until you get to 4ppm and keep the levels there. If it goes above that, stop adding ammonia.

sherrie p cockram said:

My ammonia level is .50 ppm and of course nitrites are 0. I have a 300 gallon fish tank and between the fish tank the 2 media beds and the 2 floating raft beds and 2 sump tanks the system holds 800 gallons of water. I need to raise the ammonia level don't I? How much ammonia should I ad?