I leave the food in there and let it decay until the final water change at cycle completion, is that correct?

Right now, my little 5 gallon is sitting at 2-4 ammonia, and top of the scale with nitrites. I was feeding it fish food 1-2 times a day to get the ammonia to rise, but now I'll stop feeding it to maintain the ammonia closer to 3. I just wasn't sure about leaving the decaying food.

Man, if you put your nose in the tank, stinky!

I was reading a post similar to this and Daryl had stated not to let the food decay because then you are inviting the wrong kind of bacteria into your tank; a deadly kind. She had said to make sure you syphon the old food out once a day and replace it and not let it decay.

Lola, why didn't you just use ammonia?

Where's that post?Thank you! It's so hard to get all the details in order during these things. I'll siphon it out then.Food makes ammonia, and I got plenty of it on hand. I told hubby to just pee in the tanks, but he refuses.

I'll look for that post in a few. Gotta give Syd a bath. We've been decorating the X-mas tree...

http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/...showtopic=64608

Here is that topic where Daryl talks about using food for ammonia sources.

Well, this is not such a bad idea, only that you should maybe ask one of your kids instead, as their pee won't be full of caffeine or illegal substances. (Yeah, don't even try to deny it, Lola!)
I know someone who successfully cycled their tank this way, but I can't say 'who' or my daughter will break both my legs!!!!!!
And if you think the tank smells bad after fishfood.......

PS I don't know if there are any reasons it would be inadvisable but I'm sure Daryl or Trinket would know for sure.

Well, I'm starting over. Better to be safe than sorry. Maybe I'll go look for some ammonia, or have my little one "help".

Hi Lolafish

I bought ammonia at Ace Hardware. It's their own brand, and only says 10% ammonia hydroxide on the label. My hubby asked the manager if he could find out if there was anything else added, and the manager went and got a huge book with cleaners and their additives listed. All it said for that was the ammonia. He told us that -by law- it would have to say if there was anything else in it. Their website has a locater, Here if you're interested.



Debbie