Tank Setups • Eco-complete gravel and cycling?

[dgreco1602]

With eco-complete gravel do I need to cycle a new tank? Should I add ammonia to the tank while I'mwaiting to add fish? I just addes a HOB filter from previous tank to the we-tdry filter. HOB was still active until I moved it? Should I add ammonia and do the tests?

[GTZ]

Might as well, it'll give you a good indicator of how much your bio can handle as it sits. Add 1-2 ppm ammonia.
Is the sand Eco-Complete Cichlid? Caribsea says it speeds up cycling, whether or not it actually does anything is another story. Haven't used it myself so I can't say.

[dgreco1602]

I have a 180 gal tan with a 75 gallon sump with about 65 gallons in it. How much ammonia should I add?

[jd lover]

2ppm is what most add during a fishless cycle regarding the tank size as it has more to do with stock size is to my understanding

[dsouthworth]

I added 15mL to cycle about 120 gallons of water and this got it to about 2ppm

Add maybe 20mL, wait an hour or so and test the water. Add more accordingly. I'd think 20mL should be good.




On a side note, if you have 65 gallons of water in the sump, and only 75g tank. How much extra room do you have in there when you turn off the power and it back flows? I hope you're being safe over there!!

[GTZ]

I added 15mL to cycle about 120 gallons of water and this got it to about 2ppm

Add maybe 20mL, wait an hour or so and test the water. Add more accordingly. I'd think 20mL should be good.




On a side note, if you have 65 gallons of water in the sump, and only 75g tank. How much extra room do you have in there when you turn off the power and it back flows? I hope you're being safe over there!!

Agreed, 19-20ml is what I came up with using an online calculator.
For 245g @ 2ppm using 9.5% ammonia.

[prov356]

eco-complete gravel

I don't recall anyone having any luck with these substrates that supposedly harbor nitrifying bacteria to speed up cycling. Let us know how it goes for you.