Cycling tank help.

[colincolin747]

I have used Dr Tims one and only to cycle the tank and been following the schedule/instructions. (Dosing ammonia if at 1ppm). My salifert test kit read 1.5 for 4 days in a row, then I thought something was off cause I was getting readings for nitrite and nitrate. I went and got myself an API test kit and it currently reads 8ppm ammonia and my salifert still reads 1.5ppm....

What should I do? Do a 50% water change?

 

[WIReefer]

I have used Dr Tims one and only to cycle the tank and been following the schedule/instructions. (Dosing ammonia if at 1ppm). My salifert test kit read 1.5 for 4 days in a row, then I thought something was off cause I was getting readings for nitrite and nitrate. I went and got myself an API test kit and it currently reads 8ppm ammonia and my salifert still reads 1.5ppm....

What should I do? Do a 50% water change?

Would just leave it alone would suggest on not doing a water change and just riding out the cycle track your parameters daily and just let it do it’s thing!

 

[blasterman]

Leave it alone

 

[Natedogg1978]

I also am currently cycling a 45 gallon cube and dosed Dr. Tim's One and only along with Dr. Tim's Ammium chloride. I dosed (2) 2 oz bottles of One and Only bacteria along with 220 drops of Ammonium chloride. I have been checking ammonia and nitrite levels daily, also temp and salinity. I have been keeping a small notebook and logging all readings which I believe has been very helpful. I would definitely recommend this.

I started my cycle with the above mentioned info on day one which was 06/04/2020. I am glad to say that after day one of dosing ammonium chloride along with Dr. Tim's One and Only, I was at 2 PPM ammonia (This is what I understatnd Dr Tim's wants you to be at to start the cycle). Watching his video's online, I also understand that you should not dose ammonia again until you have zero ammoni reading. After day 10, I was still at a 2 PPM ammonia reading and decided to add a bottle of Fritz 9 beneficial bacteria hoping to speed up the cycle. However, i am currently on day 23 and still have a reading of .50 ppm ammonia and have just now seen an increase of nitrite @ .25 ppm.

Colin, I think you may have overdosed ammonia and did not give the bacteria time to populate and start the ammonia removal. I am also new to reefing, but for what it's worth, I think a good water change might be a good solution and try again to keep your ammonia to start at 2ppm and no more. I know the current Dr Tim's One and Only instructs 4 drops per gallon of water. Again , my tank is 45 gallon cube and a 14 gallon sump which is filled to about 10 gallons for a total volume of 55 gallons (55x4) =220 drops of ammonium chloride.

Or, Possibly try adding some more bacteria and wait it out. I may recommend Fritz Turbo Start 900 which is supposed to be a greater concentration of bacteria to work out the ammonia.

I also was under the impression that Dr. Tim's will be good to add fish after a week, but alas that's not the case. Just be patient with the process as you can see my utilizing the bottled bacteria hasn't seemed to quicken the process, either.

Definitely though, I do recommend utilizing a small notebook and test DAILY, and log your results while starting the cycle. This has definitely helped me in seeing the process. It has given me more control in seeing what is going on with the cycle.

Good luck,

Nate

 

[colincolin747]

I also am currently cycling a 45 gallon cube and dosed Dr. Tim's One and only along with Dr. Tim's Ammium chloride. I dosed (2) 2 oz bottles of One and Only bacteria along with 220 drops of Ammonium chloride. I have been checking ammonia and nitrite levels daily, also temp and salinity. I have been keeping a small notebook and logging all readings which I believe has been very helpful. I would definitely recommend this.

I started my cycle with the above mentioned info on day one which was 06/04/2020. I am glad to say that after day one of dosing ammonium chloride along with Dr. Tim's One and Only, I was at 2 PPM ammonia (This is what I understatnd Dr Tim's wants you to be at to start the cycle). Watching his video's online, I also understand that you should not dose ammonia again until you have zero ammoni reading. After day 10, I was still at a 2 PPM ammonia reading and decided to add a bottle of Fritz 9 beneficial bacteria hoping to speed up the cycle. However, i am currently on day 23 and still have a reading of .50 ppm ammonia and have just now seen an increase of nitrite @ .25 ppm.

Colin, I think you may have overdosed ammonia and did not give the bacteria time to populate and start the ammonia removal. I am also new to reefing, but for what it's worth, I think a good water change might be a good solution and try again to keep your ammonia to start at 2ppm and no more. I know the current Dr Tim's One and Only instructs 4 drops per gallon of water. Again , my tank is 45 gallon cube and a 14 gallon sump which is filled to about 10 gallons for a total volume of 55 gallons (55x4) =220 drops of ammonium chloride.

Or, Possibly try adding some more bacteria and wait it out. I may recommend Fritz Turbo Start 900 which is supposed to be a greater concentration of bacteria to work out the ammonia.

I also was under the impression that Dr. Tim's will be good to add fish after a week, but alas that's not the case. Just be patient with the process as you can see my utilizing the bottled bacteria hasn't seemed to quicken the process, either.

Definitely though, I do recommend utilizing a small notebook and test DAILY, and log your results while starting the cycle. This has definitely helped me in seeing the process. It has given me more control in seeing what is going on with the cycle.

Good luck,

Nate

I live in Australia, they don’t sell fritz turbo start unfortunately. I was thinking about purchasing more Dr Tims one and only. Do you think that would work?

 

[Natedogg1978]

I live in Australia, they don’t sell fritz turbo start unfortunately. I was thinking about purchasing more Dr Tims one and only. Do you think that would work?

I think that is something you may consider, just to add a larger biological load. When you watch Dr. Tim’s videos on YouTube, he says you really can’t overdose the One and Only. If I recall correctly, you can even double the suggested amount.

 

[colincolin747]

I measured my nitrates twice just then and both resulted in 50ppm... Nitrite and ammonia all remained the same for past few days....

 

[Natedogg1978]

I measured my nitrates twice just then and both resulted in 50ppm... Nitrite and ammonia all remained the same for past few days....

What is your ammonia reading? You should see your nitrites increase as you see your ammonia fall. It is a process though, be patient.