Don't Laugh...but please help with opinion.

mr-toad

mr-toad

New Member
I tore my tanks down to move a few years ago and I am just now getting them back up. The 55 is going great with the exception of I can't clean the glass due to so much rock. I found a good buy and had to get it. The 125 I am doing right now. I was putting in the sand bed and ran out of sand so I went to get more. I did not put the canopy back on the tank. When I came home I found my cat in the "nice litter box" covering up his steamy. Yes after telling him how many ways I was going to kill him, I done what I had to do. I loved on him and acted as nothing happened. It was only natural for him to do what he done. I mean how many cats get a 125 gal fish tank for a little box. He most likely thought I had fixed it all for him. Anyway I removed the cat logs from the tank but soon found that he had also took a quick leak before his steamy. I thought long and hard and have not dumped the sand yet due to I am wondering if it would actually hurt anything. On another note will it maybe help cycle the tank?
Thanks
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
For the price of sand I don't think I would take a chance. I am not sure if it would be all right or not, but I think that I would start fresh if it were my tank.
 
mr-toad

mr-toad

New Member
That was pretty much my thought due to the area is only about 30-40 pounds of sand. My only thought was would it help cycle the tank if it was left. I figured I would get some E-pinions before dumping the sand. Once again thanks.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
I don't think it will be an issue its just a source of ammonia to start the cycle and I doubt the couple of ounces the cat left are even going to be detectable by the time you fill it with a 120g of water.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Kitty urine is concentrated ammonia, I wouldn't chance it since ammonia is deadly to fish tanks. lots higher than a cycle. JMO
 
cleve_seahorse

cleve_seahorse

Member
I honestly don't think it's a big deal , as i've read threads on here of guys peeing in their tanks to start the cycle ....ewwww...lol..but cat pee , human pee , fish food etc it's all ammonia to start the cycle.
 
mr-toad

mr-toad

New Member
I didn't think of the dilution factor, tank, sump and all the other stuff is an easy 140 gallons. I wondered if it would help cycle it but now that you mention it, that is rather small amount when mixed. Still haven't made up my mind fully though.
Thanks
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
Many people use straight ammonia to start the cycle in their tanks so this would just be one less step. I also have read about people urinating in their tanks to start a cycle not my method but to each his own.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/3003812
Many people use straight ammonia to start the cycle in their tanks so this would just be one less step. I also have read about people urinating in their tanks to start a cycle not my method but to each his own.
EEEEW never heard of this but, Okay. So concentrated ammonia is Okay...live and learn. I hear ammonia and freak out I guess.
So I learned something, Thanks.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
Yep I'm not sure what these people were thinking whats wrong with throwing a little fish food in the tank and walking away, and actually it doesn't really matter what you throw in the tank it could be a piece of baloney and it will start a nitrogen cycle so why they thought it would be better to pee in the tank I don't know
I guess its the logic that fish pee in the tank whats the difference.
Straight ammonia is actually one of the better ways to cycle your tank it gives you more control over the amount of ammonia introduced to the system and can leave your tank a little more stable at the end of the cycle than you would get with just a piece of shrimp because you can simulate the bioload you expect to have at the end of the cycle and add all of your fish at once rather than slowly introducing fish after cycle is complete to avoid upsetting the balance.
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
Be careful when using "pure" ammonia. Pure ammonia is generally sold as a cleaning product. The label should say that the product contains ammonia and water. If anything else is included, disregard it...do NOT buy it. If you think you've found something that can be used, give it a good shake. If it foams, then it is worthless. If it does not foam, then you're good to go. Foam will be caused by surfactants. An example of a surfactant is a detergent. If you put oil and water in a jar, they will seperate. Adding a surfactant will cause these two things to bind together and be one. This will be detrimental to a tank. If you use ammonia that foams, you might as well pbitawa. (pour bleach in tank and walk away)
Keep that in mind, generic ammonia is what you want to use.
As far as urinating in a tank goes, please refrain from doing this. You don't know what all (besides ammonia) you are putting into your tank and besides, this will (should) not be a significant source of ammonia for a cycle.
I tried to run some very controlled tests on this, but I lacked the control to urinate in a teaspoon...
Later, I decided to try again, but I couldn't find my stepladder.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by PEZenfuego
http:///forum/post/3003836
Be careful when using "pure" ammonia. Pure ammonia is generally sold as a cleaning product. The label should say that the product contains ammonia and water. If anything else is included, disregard it...do NOT buy it. If you think you've found something that can be used, give it a good shake. If it foams, then it is worthless. If it does not foam, then you're good to go. Foam will be caused by surfactants. An example of a surfactant is a detergent. If you put oil and water in a jar, they will seperate. Adding a surfactant will cause these two things to bind together and be one. This will be detrimental to a tank. If you use ammonia that foams, you might as well pbitawa. (pour bleach in tank and walk away)
Keep that in mind, generic ammonia is what you want to use.
As far as urinating in a tank goes, please refrain from doing this. You don't know what all (besides ammonia) you are putting into your tank and besides, this will (should) not be a significant source of ammonia for a cycle.
I tried to run some very controlled tests on this, but I lacked the control to urinate in a teaspoon...
Later, I decided to try again, but I couldn't find my stepladder.
crazy nut
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
mr toad, your story is yet another reason why dogs are better than cats.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top