Dr Tims Fishless Cycle question help please

[Garf]

Ok, I’ll take you up on it (crushed flakes added about an hour ago). For full disclosure I’m running display tank at .022 at a temp of 81.5 to 82 through the cycling process to theoretically help cultivate the bacteria. My plan was to begin slowly increasing the SG to .025 starting on the 19th through my ATO. My QT tank is at .025 with a temp of 78. I do like the science and learning more about the chemistry of the water along the way. I do want to still chart almost daily water parameters, not because it’s needed and not to make changes to the plan but to have a better understanding of the process. I do understand my numbers may be off as all of my equipment is not digital (some is) but to me it simply shows a trend. Pics below just to show my current set up. Let me know if all of this fits with what you’re trying to accomplish and also meets your “accountability.”
Thanks

How long you got left on the Quarantine? Looks like you’re gonna do just great.

 

[K9Fish]

a little cheat in my favor/ planned/ exists because those clowns wouldn't crash in that much dilution even if you didn't add bottle bac. Having that bac and the wet sand and the time after feeding is safe by orders over.

. I kind of figured that. Seems like this will all come down to the Ammonia level. You’ll most likely be good either way, it’s a good bet on your part to be down or gone by the 25th. I’ll keep you posted. Did I tell you my clowns were very expensive and trained to do tricks?

 

[brandon429]

ha that's fly man for sure. They look dang good to me

 

[K9Fish]

How long you got left on the Quarantine? Looks like you’re gonna do just great.

As soon as the DT is deemed cycled. They were quarantined and in quarantine for a month prior to my purchase and what will most likely be another 3 weeks with me.

 

[brandon429]

thats a shocking departure from the current method (dump in fish no preps to quick cycled reefs who legit handle ammonia only as their only redeeming quality) really it is. That's exactly the kind of observation the fish disease forum recommends that so few use.

*we would like to learn from your effective rather long term quarantine. are you having to manage ammonia with water changes, extra dosing of anything at all in that bare bones qt setup, or does the existing surface area you have in place given it's only two clowns and light feeding simply run like a normal tank

how do you test for ammonia in the qt, and does the readout ever rise or spike requiring remediation from you or just hold normal

a gap in reliability exists in handling ammonia control in low surface area systems. in displays its a total non issue/ would like to know how you're keeping them so happy so we can relay this to others in pattern

 

[K9Fish]

thats a shocking departure from the current method (dump in fish no preps to quick cycled reefs who legit handle ammonia only as their only redeeming quality) really it is. That's exactly the kind of observation the fish disease forum recommends that so few use.

*we would like to learn from your effective rather long term quarantine. are you having to manage ammonia with water changes, extra dosing of anything at all in that bare bones qt setup, or does the existing surface area you have in place given it's only two clowns and light feeding simply run like a normal tank

how do you test for ammonia in the qt, and does the readout ever rise or spike requiring remediation from you or just hold normal

a gap in reliability exists in handling ammonia control in low surface area systems. in displays its a total non issue/ would like to know how you're keeping them so happy so we can relay this to others in pattern

I have not really seen any major Ammonia spikes only a very very slow rise Almost undetectable. I started by checking Ammonia every day but now it’s every 2-3days. The highest level I’ve ever detected and it was really stretching was .30 (maybe). I’ve been doing my own protocol of a 3 gallon water change every 72 hours but I could probably easily stretch that out to 5 days or so. Feeding is light most days 1x day with a little less than 1/4 cube of mysis shrimp and once in a while maybe just 3-4 small pellets for a second feeding but thats not often. I did put in a very small amount of Dr Tim’s One and only the day i put them in. Their happy, tank looks good so not sure its right but it appears to be working.

 

[K9Fish]

Ok, calling it cycled earlier than our date. Now it’s on me. Ammonia zero, nitrites still reading 2.0, nitrates reading too high to read digitally >75, PH 8.1. Slight film showing up on glass too. Big water change tonight then the trained clowns in tomorrow.