The Cycle

[SpeedySurf]

Hi everyone,

So I am currently in the process of cycling my new 15 gallon fish-only tank. It has been running for 4 days. I went with live sand and dry rock, and I have a 1 oz bottle of Fritz TurboStart 900 in the fridge. What is the best thing I can add to the tank to produce ammonia to feed the bacteria?

 

[keagan]

You could use bottled ammonia but I would use a whole cocktail shrimp. Any die off on the live sand will help as well. You could also ghost feed with fish food.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Dosing will allow easy confirmation that it is done. The shrimp method works, but you may not see an ammonia rise so may not have confidence it is done.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'd suggest using Fritz Fishless Fuel (ammonium chloride) or Baker's Ammonia, which can be found in the baking section of some grocery stores or Michael's craft stores:
https://www.michaels.com/product/lorann-ammonium-carbonate-27oz-10695841
Good luck!