Cycle not starting with BioS

[HolisticBear]

Started a fishless cycle for a QT tank using Dr Tim's ammonia chloride + AF BioS. After two weeks, ammonia remains unchanged at 1ppm with 0pm NO2/NO3. Starting to think my BioS is dead. I'll give it another week, but then I'll try a different starter bacteria.

Simple 10 gallon AIO. No skimmer, just heater + filter floss + siporax. No chemical media, RODI using some leftover IO reef crystals.

Ammonia went to 1ppm on Day 2, all parameters unchanged in two weeks. No water changes. Only 10 gallon tank, so add 1 drop BioS every other day. Verified test kit on DT, looks legit.

Thoughts?

 

[Anirban]

How much rock you have? Use NP Pro with it so that the bacteria also get some carbon source.

 

[cbear44]

I never tried using BioS with at QT start - my sense it that it isn't as "potent" as Dr. Tim One and Only. My only experience with BioS start was with my DT start (270g volume). Dosed BioS for 14 days and then added 2 fish. Had a small ammonia spike to 0.2 for a day and then gone. Has been stable since. - It's probably going to take patients or add Dr. Tim.

That being said I'm having a similar issues with Dr. Tim and a QT tank (30g volume in a 40g breeder). Dosed Ammonia to 1ppm and added 4 oz of Dr. Tim Saltwater one and only. 2 weeks later Ammonia still at 0.5-1ppm, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5. I have a foam filter, marine pure block and some matrix in there (barebottom). Dr Tim support suggests that I need more media/sand and they may be right.

My prior QT setups just used Dr Tim and the fish with similar setup - with that I got small ammonia spikes for a day to 0.25 and then gone.

 

[HolisticBear]

QUOTE="Anirban, post: 3578896, member: 57898"]How much rock you have? Use NP Pro with it so that the bacteria also get some carbon source.[/QUOTE]

No rock, just a empty QT tank with PVC fittings for fish to hide and 0.5L of siporax

Dr Tim support suggests that I need more media/sand and they may be right

This is the first time I've used starter bacteria, done the 'normal' cycling with just live rock in the past. You are probably right. I may have expected 'magic' with these instant cycle starter bacteria. I thought it would be a fast/easy way to set up a QT. Siporax has alot of surface area, but with no substrate + rock maybe it just doesn't work?

 

[Anirban]

QUOTE="Anirban, post: 3578896, member: 57898"]How much rock you have? Use NP Pro with it so that the bacteria also get some carbon source.

No rock, just a empty QT tank with PVC fittings for fish to hide and 0.5L of siporax


It will take a bit time for the bacteria to first colonize the siporax and populate.It will still work but slowly. You need more time so just keep dosing.

 

[SewerynAquaforest]

To support the filtration Life Bio Fil is very good as a filtration medium. It's work instantly. Bacteria is "pre-installed" so when you put this product it works immediately.

 

[HolisticBear]

To support the filtration Life Bio Fil is very good as a filtration medium. It's work instantly. Bacteria is "pre-installed" so when you put this product it works immediately.

That was actually my original plan, but it was sold out at BRS. It's back in-stock at BRS now, but I'll let this play out for another week or so.