Larry Blanchard wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:26:08 +0000, Andy Pastuszak wrote:

What type of fish do people think are a good seed fish that can live with
Angelfish later? I tend to think that Angelfish may be a bit too
delicate to survive the seeding process.

Put the plants in first and then add a little ammonia avery day for about
a week. That way you don't need any "seed" fish. Just change the water a
little more often for the first month (after that first week). Look up
"fishless cycling" for more info.

I did it that way and never saw any ammonia or nitrites, the plants and
the bacteria combined did the trick.


I always see ammonia being suggested as the "additive" to start the
nitrogen cycle bacteria. Why not urea?

Urea is a "synthetic organic." When bacteria digest urea they first
convert it to ammonia.

As I understand the nitrogen cycle, it is like this:

Urea - ammonia - nitrites - nitrates.

Indeed, the form of nitrogen in fish waste is Urea ...

Urea is cheap, an 80# sack cost me under $20.00 USD including tax ...

If you have ammonia and urea is a hassle, by all means use it (clear
ammonia with NO soaps/additives!) If not, use Urea ... right?

Urea just seems more inline with the natural nitrogen cycle ...

As a side note, 75%-90% of the solids in urine is Urea, urine is
sterile, urine contains micro-nutrients--amino acids, minerals,
vitamins, etc., most all of these beneficial, or at the least, benign,
to plants; however, I do not suggest urinating in our tanks! LOL

Regards,
JS


Regards,
JS