Disgusting and Gross, but is it possible to pee in your tank?

[plankton99]

I recently did a tear down and started over with Marco Rocks (dry pest free rocks) and dead dry sand exclusively. I am using Prodibio and Special Blend bacteria to start the cycle process. I added a small raw shrimp to let it decompose to add ammonia so the bacterial additives have something to eat.

Then it dawned on be. Fish pee. Well, I was wondering of you pee'd in your tank, would that be a good source of waste products to start cycling a tank?

BTW: I have NOT pee'd in my tank, but I was wonder from a scientific standpoint if it would work?

[wdt2000]

I would think it would work.

[ibnozn]

Probably wouldn't hurt to do some vodka dosing first. That way you'll expel the excess sugars straight into your tank. More bacterial fuel.

[JTR0510]

lol i would stick to the dead shrimp

[mscarpena]

Pee has a lot of ammonia and would probably take a long time to cycle down.

[AS]

Just make sure it is not too sweet

[mike_cmu04]

I know people have done it and it will work with the ammonia spike however there are alot of other toxins in urine that you dont want in your tank.

[OwenInAZ]

It's how... my friend... started his tank. No ammonia spike to speak of besides what normally happens at startup.

Plenty of nitrogen in there to get things rolling. Bacteria don't much care how they get it.

The "toxins" argument is kind of silly IMO -- any "toxins" in there will be diluted and taken care of by the growing microfauna. Shoot, I could probably pee in my tank now with no ill effects. But my wife would be really mad if I got on the stepstool and got to work ;)

[Fishamatank]

Is it possible to pee in your tank?
Sure, just get a little ladder or step stool and get after it.

lol

I don't think human urine contains much ammonia if any, however. The organics might start a cycle, but there are certainly better ways.

[Ninjapotamus]

i pee in my tank every day. great for corals

u can also upper decker your overflow box for improved zoanthid growth.

[Fishamatank]

i pee in my tank every day. great for corals

u can also upper decker your overflow box for improved zoanthid growth.

Now that is funny.

[dixiedog]

I started a discus tank like that once, years ago (peeing, not taking an upper decker!)

If it weren't for Family Guy, I wouldn't even know what that meant. :D

[geaux xman]

find an old lady with a flaming UTI(urinary tract infection) to pee in the tank for you. that way you can circumvent using MB7 and introduce bacteria the natural way.

[JTL]

I did it for my tank and so did a friend of mine. Urine is actually pretty pure stuff, iirc it is sterile when it leaves the bladder and only picks up bacteria as it travels through the uretha.

[geaux xman]

i bought this ammonia bottle from wal-mart for $1.50.

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/68/11/31/14/0068113114475_300X300.jpg

added it in my rubbermaid tote that i had some rocks that was already cycled.

[mrstihl]

That's how I start every one of my tanks. Just don't add too much or the cycle will take a lot longer.

[plankton99]

i bought this ammonia bottle from wal-mart for $1.50.

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/68/11/31/14/0068113114475_300X300.jpg

added it in my rubbermaid tote that i had some rocks that was already cycled.

Thanks for all of the replies... for the Amonia method, how much should I dose for a 55gal tank?

[ChuckG]

Do not pee in Ur tank.. The phosphate levels from the urine will be sky high and those dry marco rocks will absorb it all making for many problems down the road.

[KafudaFish]

Exhaustive detailed description of the composition of human urine can be found in NASA Contractor Report No. NASA CR-1802, D. F. Putnam, July 1971. That report provided detailed chemical analyses for inorganic and organic constituents, methods of analysis, chemical and physical properties and its behavior during concentrative processes such as evaporation, distillation and other phisiochemical operations. Urine is an aqueous solution of greater than 95% water, with the remaining constituents, in order of decreasing concentration urea 9.3 g/l, chloride 1.87 g/l, sodium 1.17 g/l, potassium 0.750 g/l, creatinine 0.670 g/l and other dissolved ions, inorganic and organic compounds.

[geaux xman]

the ammonia concentration in that bottle is 2.5%

55g = 208liters
if you want to achieve 5ppm, use ~41mls

notice in this ammonia calculator its liters not gallons.

http://www.stanlee.plus.com/AmmoniaCalc.htm

Thanks for all of the replies... for the Amonia method, how much should I dose for a 55gal tank?

[plankton99]

the ammonia concentration in that bottle is 2.5%

55g = 208liters
if you want to achieve 5ppm, use ~41mls

notice in this ammonia calculator its liters not gallons.

http://www.stanlee.plus.com/AmmoniaCalc.htm

Thanks! this is just what I needed.

[Agu]

Years ago in the fresh water side of the hobby urinating in your tank to stimulate bacteria growth was an accepted practice. However the tanks were set up with dry sand and bleach cleaned decorations. It really was an almost sterile environment with little to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. With live sand and/or live rock in a saltwater tank there should be no reason to add an additional ammonia source.

Unless of course you enjoy peeing in your tank and then reaching in it to re-aquascape. I'll pass on that option ;) .

[mhaith]

my vote for thread of the month

[el aguila]

my vote for thread of the month

Everybody knows that a thread without pics cannot be named thread of the month. With some pics of some good looking female reefers this thread would become extremely popular, besides being a little interesting.

[el aguila]

Everybody knows that a thread without pics cannot be named thread of the month. With some pics of some good looking female reefers this thread would become extremely popular, besides being a little interesting on how to make it in the tank.

[aleonn]

^ LOL! But ya, I'd stick to the shrimp.

[jefathome]

I think that you also have to drop a deus in the tank for that to work.

[Meus]

I think that you also have to drop a deus in the tank for that to work.
Roflmao
A.that would stink for weeks,
B.you could never reach in there ever again
C.deus is a latin word, and if you were to add one of those, same results
D. I will stick with shrimp.

[jg2269jg]

thank you everyone i am at work it is 232am and i am cracking up at how many responses this got. I love my reef but not enough to want to stick my hand or arm back in it after peeing in it. i definitly wouldnt pee in the toilet then stick my hand in it that would be wierd. ha good luck with this

[byrdman81]

I peed in mine to start the cycle a few months ago. Seemed to do the trick for me.

[Gamepro_inc]

I don't think human urine contains much ammonia if any


Ummm yes it does, ammonia is a by product of protein breakdown it is the reason why people with kidney failure have to get dialysis to remove excess ammonia, and creatine as well as other byproducts. people begin to get acidodic and hyperventilate something called kussmal respirations. look it up. As for the amount of ammonia in urine I dont know but it seems like shrimp work well enough people are always trying to rush things there is no quick way to have a fully cycled tank patience is key. can you pee in your tank sure...but you can also add ammonia or shrimp and have a tank cycle at about the same rate. I guess what im trying to say is be patient and dont try to rush things.

[plankton99]

Thanks for all the fun, gross, technical and serious replies. I am sticking with the shrimp.

Have a great Festivus everyone!

BTW: Here is my tank thread, Kind of long, but the new set up starts on p2 of the thread...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1928659

[padova335i]

interesting thread, i used 20 shrimp in my 650 system, a lot of people said not o.. i waited 2 months to cycle and now have 3 fish in there

[mofoglenn333]

i believe if you eat asparagus and drink prune juice the outcome would be much better.

[cm11599ps]

If you pee to start the cycle then please don't start a water change by using your mouth to start the siphon.

[plankton99]

Well I didn't Pee but I added ammonia to my tank using the Ammonia calculator above in this thread. Based on my tank volume of 60 gallons I needed 45 ml of Ammonia to get it to 5ppm.

Here is the result...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E9YErn0r47APrEJbooBWFA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_NXpuq2m0IHc/TQ7zGgOLzUI/AAAAAAAADIc/QOGjIOv5w6Q/s800/P1050263.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>


So if my bacteria is working how long should it take to remove that much ammonia?

[geaux xman]

my cycle of 50lbs of DR in a 22g rubbermaid tote took right about 14days. amm from 10 to 0, nitrite positive to 0, nitrate to 160ppm.

i've since took out about 20lbs of rock and have remaining 30lbs of rock. i can add about 5ppm of ammonia and it will process that to 0 in less than 24hrs.

Try to put your water heater on to about 85 degrees. that will help accelerate bacteria growth. It'll probably take about a week for the nitrifying bacteria to establish and remove the ammonia.

[plankton99]

my cycle of 50lbs of DR in a 22g rubbermaid tote took right about 14days. amm from 10 to 0, nitrite positive to 0, nitrate to 160ppm.

i've since took out about 20lbs of rock and have remaining 30lbs of rock. i can add about 5ppm of ammonia and it will process that to 0 in less than 24hrs.

Try to put your water heater on to about 85 degrees. that will help accelerate bacteria growth. It'll probably take about a week for the nitrifying bacteria to establish and remove the ammonia.

Thanks for the info geaux_xman!

[LockeOak]

Ok, be careful. What you're planning on doing is pretty much exactly what I did, detailed in this thread.

Ok, so my water is solid black, now what? (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1291734&highlight=water+black)

I used dry MarcoRocks exclusively, cranked up the heaters, I actually did add just a touch of ammonia (not the store bought kind, if you get my drift) and half a teaspoon of sugar to kick it off, and:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r125/LockeOak/01-11-08_1733.jpg

Completely anoxic. There's no need to add shrimp or anything else with dry, dead Marco Rocks, there's tons of dead stuff in there anyway, even if you go over it while it's dry and pick off the obvious dead stuff. Aerate the hell out of the water to prevent this from happening (it stinks)!

[Girly Gears]

Lol...I think if i tried peeing in my tank I'd fall in, why do u think we complain about the seat being left up?

[LifeAquatic]

Nothing kicks starts the cycle like a golden shower!

[geaux xman]

plankton, how is your cycle coming a long?

i imagine its near complete with amm 0, nitrite 0, and nitrate ##?

[plankton99]

Ammonia is .25 almost zero, Nitrite is still high, Nitrate increasing. I think another week. Yesterday I added 15ml of Ammonia and the next morning, no increase in Ammonia, so I guess the Ammonia eating Bacteria is working, I need the Nitrite Eaters to do their job!

I think another week and I can add some critters to eat the brown alage starting to grow on the rocks.

Thanks for checking in.

[bohannbj]

I used the "Miller Method" and wow that ammonia test could not have been more green. A week later I thought the nitrate tube was bleeding.

[plankton99]

I used the "Miller Method" and wow that ammonia test could not have been more green. A week later I thought the nitrate tube was bleeding.

Yup, I just took a nitrite measurement and it is still bleeding:)

I figure another week. I am using Prodibio Bio Digest and Special Blend. I guess they dont have as much Nitrosomona (spelling?) bacteria as they do the ammonia digesting kind.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g-Q_QGnLTyT0_Il-ZoygSg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_NXpuq2m0IHc/TRf83BdXQMI/AAAAAAAADKw/pTAcSNZ2Eww/s800/P1050316.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>

[NeverlosT]

interesting thread, i used 20 shrimp in my 650 system, a lot of people said not o.. i waited 2 months to cycle and now have 3 fish in there

this dude would have to pee a lot in that 650g monster!



I want to add a vote for upperdecking your own overflow. Everything is better with a second story!

[90accord]

i pee in my tank every day. great for corals

u can also upper decker your overflow box for improved zoanthid growth.

That only works for the $$$$$"deep water" Zoas!!

[Rylan]

I couldn't imagine peeing in my tank to get the ammonia going LOL

Doesn't matter how many water changes you do, the thought would still gross me out.

[atbathompson]

Haha. This is a good thread. I dont know much about the ammonia side of it, but I do know there is bacteria in everyones urine. Probably not the bacteria that you want in your tank lol

[LIONFISH5740]

I can't believe I just found this. This thread is too funny!!!

But to all those that would not want to stick their hand in the tank again after peeing in it, what do you think all you living critters are doing in there? You feed them so they...

I would hope that people wash their hands after messing with their tank with all the bacteria in there. And I'm not a germaphobe at all.

[tam]

Someone test their pee for ammonia. kthx. lol.

[AGYDAL]

How is peeing in your tank any different than peeing in your wetsuit for an extra 20 minutes of dive time...?

[OwenInAZ]

Haha. This is a good thread. I dont know much about the ammonia side of it, but I do know there is bacteria in everyones urine. Probably not the bacteria that you want in your tank lol

Realistically speaking, if you have bacteria in your urine you have a UTI and ought to get it checked out. Urine is normally pretty aseptic. :) Also, the environment in your urethra/bladder/kidney is vastly different than that found in the tank, so the extra bacteria would more than likely simply become a carbon source for the existing residents. There have been a few papers showing that established populations of bacteria make it very difficult for newcomers to colonize, but I'm too lazy to find them now. :bigeyes:

How is peeing in your tank any different than peeing in your wetsuit for an extra 20 minutes of dive time...?

It's really not, but some people are grossed out by normal bodily functions. Once that pee hits the tank, it's going to be diluted so many fold that you'd probably have trouble detecting it with our kits above the background, yet for the bacteria present it's like a nutrient buffet!

[jeff@zina.com]

Well, I was wondering of you pee'd in your tank, would that be a good source of waste products to start cycling a tank?

Works fine. *

Jeff



* - Never set up a fish tank in a frat house... :rolleyes:

[travis32]

That's interesting because I've read that a big isse for freshwater source water contamination (aquifers, rivers, and lakes) is precisely because of pee.

The pee extracted from the human body contains medications that can be toxic to the environment, and if not to fish, to other people that are toxic to people.

If you combine all the meds people take for, specifically cholesterol controlling meds were named as highest on the list making it into potentially drinking water supplies.

Just thinking on that, if one is on any medications, couldn't those medications make it into the aquarium through Pee? Obviously, at such trace levels it probably wouldn't matter, but, if it's affecting water supplies, there has to be some concentration of the meds?

I don't know how lipitor would affect corals and fish...

[gtstylez87]

you know before they had cycle and other bacteria additives that how they use to start tanks. i use to work for this guy at a pet shop and he has been doing this since the early 60s. he told me that people use to pee in there new tanks to help it cycle.

[OwenInAZ]

Those sorts of chemicals (hormones and the like) from medications don't just come from peeing straight into a waterway, they come from flushing the toilet as well. It's a real emerging issue for wastewater treatment.

What ecologists are seeing is something like a frog (which spends its entire life immersed or near water) constantly absorbing endocrine disruptors (read: hormones) and experiencing altered metabolic/developmental function. Very interesting stuff.

[Whitebird1]

If you had a few cocktails and then did the deed in the tank, could that be vodka dosing?? (Needed a thread like this!!!):beer:

[OwenInAZ]

If you had a few cocktails and then did the deed in the tank, could that be vodka dosing?? (Needed a thread like this!!!):beer:

LOL if that's the case you should start your own distillery ;)

[plankton99]

If you had a few cocktails and then did the deed in the tank, could that be vodka dosing?? (Needed a thread like this!!!):beer:

I prefer Solid Vodka Dosing (i know this joke is gross)

[tank41]

A bit of pee to start the cycle may not be a bad idea if researched properly. Maybe some one should invent a urine reator. Just don't drop a deuce in your tank that may be a bit much for any tank to handle:)

[noobtothereef]

i think its funny that people are saying "i would never stick my hand in there knowing somebody peed in it", little do they know that pee would be the last thing to worry about in a reef tank, theres bacteria strains much worse than a little pee that gets broken down into nitrogen gas and is no longer "pee".... silly people.....

[noobtothereef]

why the overflow box? Just drop the duece right in the dt and act like they are pirate ships floating around, heck you could even put a little lego guy on it as the captain.... which reminds me of the joke that contains.... captains log.....