Cycling question

[radreef02]

Cycling RSR200xl

used 10 cap fulls of DrTim

Should/can I use bacter7 as addition each day

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Cycling RSR200xl

used 10 cap fulls of DrTim

Should/can I use bacter7 as addition each day

Why do you want to add Bacter7? What are you using as a source of ammonia?

 

[radreef02]

I am not dosing any ammonia , didn’t in my last tank.

 

[CocoReef]

You cant overdose dr tims one and only. But I would also dose ammonia or start ghost feeding to feed the bacteria. I added livestock once my system could process 2 ppm ammonia to nitrates within 24 hours

 

[IslandLifeReef]

I am not dosing any ammonia , didn’t in my last tank.

Ok, but that didn't answer either of my questions. If you are doing things because you either did them or didn't do them in your last tank, then why not just do what you did on your last tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Cycling RSR200xl

used 10 cap fulls of DrTim

Should/can I use bacter7 as addition each day

Let dr Tims take its course
The purpose of a cycle is to create bacteria that will be consuming ammonia and nitrite from your livestock, but you have to get the bacteria from somewhere initially.
Its called a cycle because the tank will go through three phases: ammonia will rise and fall, then nitrite will rise and fall even quicker, and lastly nitrate will rise and fall. Once Ammonia and Nitrite read 0 and Nitrate is less than 20ppm, the cycle is complete and livestock can gradually be introduced. Dont get consumed with nitrate but rather nitrate and ammonia.
API test kit is notorious for false readings and have let down many reefers hence the very low price for a master test kit. You will likely have inaccurate readings during the cycle process.
Ammonia badges have the same credibility as they are also intended for fresh water tanks ands also known for false readings.
You can add 1-2 black mollies to help seed tank in lieu of ammonia otherwise there is ammonia in a bottle

 

[radreef02]

Let dr Tims take its course

Alright , some people told me Bacter 7 as well. So I came here to just ask and confirm, can’t always believe LFS. Thank you

 

[vetteguy53081]

Alright , some people told me Bacter 7 as well. So I came here to just ask and confirm, can’t always believe LFS. Thank you

I added to this answer above

 

[KK's Reef]

Cycling RSR200xl

used 10 cap fulls of DrTim

Should/can I use bacter7 as addition each day

In general, I would think you shouldn't add other bacterial strains from another manufacturer. They might end up competing against each other and lose their efficacy.

I would wait until the Dr. Tim's cycle is done, then add MB7 a week or so later to add to the biodiversity.

 

[radreef02]

In general, I would think you shouldn't add other bacterial strains from another manufacturer. They might end up competing against each other and lose their efficacy.

I would wait until the Dr. Tim's cycle is done, then add MB7 a week or so later to add to the biodiversity.

I did this in last tank .

 

[Rmckoy]

Depending on how long @brandon429 has cycling down to a science .

 

[CocoReef]

In general, I would think you shouldn't add other bacterial strains from another manufacturer. They might end up competing against each other and lose their efficacy.

I would wait until the Dr. Tim's cycle is done, then add MB7 a week or so later to add to the biodiversity.

You are correct about different strains of bacteria out competing each other but I wouldn't say its bad. There is no such thing as too much beneficial bacteria

 

[KK's Reef]

You are correct about different strains of bacteria out competing each other but I wouldn't say its bad. There is no such thing as too much beneficial bacteria

True. Beneficial bacteria is probably the one thing you can't overdose.

Edit: I would say that Dr. Tim's is formulated in such a way that their strains were tested to do what it's supposed to do. I imagine each manufacturer is the same way. You can introduce other strains that do the same job, but at that point you're not doing Dr. Tim's method anymore. Maybe it won't be a bad thing, but don't be surprised if your results are different/out of whack.

 

[Rmckoy]

You are correct about different strains of bacteria out competing each other but I wouldn't say its bad. There is no such thing as too much beneficial bacteria

There is too much . But not noticed as the over abundance of bacteria would starve and die off
add more of a ammonia source , the potential for more bacteria to grow consuming at a faster rate .

this is why we start adding livestock slowly to allow the system to build biological bacteria as the waste increases .

 

[CocoReef]

There is too much . But not noticed as the over abundance of bacteria would starve and die off
add more of a ammonia source , the potential for more bacteria to grow consuming at a faster rate .

this is why we start adding livestock slowly to allow the system to build biological bacteria as the waste increases .

Yes I completely agree, but in terms of cycling personally I dont believe there to be a "too much" limit. Exactly as you said the bacteria that starves off just becomes more food for the rest of the bacteria. But I only do fishless cycling, if it was a cycle with fish there definitely would be a risk of adding too much and causing a larger than expected ammonia spike.

 

[CocoReef]

True. Beneficial bacteria is probably the one thing you can't overdose.

Edit: I would say that Dr. Tim's is formulated in such a way that their strains were tested to do what it's supposed to do. I imagine each manufacturer is the same way. You can introduce other strains that do the same job, but at that point you're not doing Dr. Tim's method anymore. Maybe it won't be a bad thing, but don't be surprised if your results are different/out of whack.

You have a point there. There is still so much unknown about the bacterias we use and if there truly are superior strains that lead to greater success down the road