Dr Tims One and Only

[FireEMT]

I am going to start Dr Tim's One and Only fish less cycle. The question I have is should I have fish ready to place in the DT when the cycle is finished. I have not purchased my first fish yet and still need to QT them, so they might not be ready for the DT when the cycle is finished. Will the bacteria suffer because of the fallow tank?

 

[HiddenUser]

I used Dr Tims for my fishless cycle. I added some raw shrimp and waited until I saw some ammonia with a test kit. I then added the DrTims (5 bottles of it ) and gave it a few days. My tank appears to have fully cycled and had 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and 10 Nitrates after about 2.5 weeks. I pulled out the raw shrimp and added my clownfish pair and magnificent foxface (who were living in the 90G that I'm upgrading from).

 

[Mackjr1969]

You can buy ammonia from Amazon or dr tims website ! That way you are feeding the bacteria so they will multiply ! Raw shrimp or fish food works too but some flaw shrimp are processed with chemicals for preservatives ! I my self just buy the bottle of ammonia for a few bucks ! Just don't add to much !

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am going to start Dr Tim's One and Only fish less cycle. The question I have is should I have fish ready to place in the DT when the cycle is finished. I have not purchased my first fish yet and still need to QT them, so they might not be ready for the DT when the cycle is finished. Will the bacteria suffer because of the fallow tank?

How long do you plan to QT?

 

[merlberg]

I used Dr Tims for my fishless cycle. I added some raw shrimp and waited until I saw some ammonia with a test kit. I then added the DrTims (5 bottles of it ) and gave it a few days. My tank appears to have fully cycled and had 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and 10 Nitrates after about 2.5 weeks. I pulled out the raw shrimp and added my clownfish pair and magnificent foxface (who were living in the 90G that I'm upgrading from).

How long did u leave the raw shrimp in for?

 

[Mackjr1969]

How long do you plan to QT?

It depends on the fish ! I myself Qt for 30 days! I was a seminar given by Tony Vargas and he recommends atleast 30-45 days before going in a DT! Must match ever parameter in the DT! For example he even uses a U V sterilizer in A Qt to match ! That a little extreme in my opinion but a simple sponge filter, heater and pvc 6 in pipe is all I use in my Qt

 

[HiddenUser]

The raw shrimp was in my tank for a total of about 3 weeks.

 

[merlberg]

The raw shrimp was in my tank for a total of about 3 weeks.

Hmm ok so i ordered the bio spira to use to star a cycle, should i toss a raw shrimp in there as well? Or just use the liquid alone?

 

[HiddenUser]

You'll need some sort of ammonia source to keep the nitrifying bacteria fed. I believe Dr Tims and Biospira both say that you can add fish almost immediately after adding the liquids, just don't run your skimmer or filter socks for 24-48 hours.

I personally preferred to use decaying raw shrimp as a food source for the nitrifying bacteria versus adding livestock and potentially causing them harm.

 

[FireEMT]

How long do you plan to QT?

I plan on QT for 4 weeks. I already have the ammonia that comes from Dr Tim's, I just don't want the bacteria to die when I stop the ammonia before the fish are added.

 

[HiddenUser]

I plan on QT for 4 weeks. I already have the ammonia that comes from Dr Tim's, I just don't want the bacteria to die when I stop the ammonia before the fish are added.

Just add some fish food to your tank every day similar to the amount you'd feed the fish. That will break down and provide a source of 'food' for the nitrifying bacteria...then do a water change before adding them assuming the nitrates would be somewhat high.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree that adding a little fish food is a fine plan. I'd probably add a little bit once a week.

 

[Mackjr1969]

You'll need some sort of ammonia source to keep the nitrifying bacteria fed. I believe Dr Tims and Biospira both say that you can add fish almost immediately after adding the liquids, just don't run your skimmer or filter socks for 24-48 hours.

I personally preferred to use decaying raw shrimp as a food source for the nitrifying bacteria versus adding livestock and potentially causing them harm.

I wouldn't never add a fish right away! Not until I test it with a test kit! It usually take 2-3 days to be in the safe side in my opinion ! They say you could but I asked dr Tim personally and he said it depends on the tank size and species of fish ! But recommends at least a 2-3 days wait! Biospira is the same !

 

[FireEMT]

Great, thanks for all the info. I will start the one and only and if the cycle finishes before the fish are ready I will just ghost feed. Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[jujuman16]

I did mine with Dr Tim's and ammonia.

You need to get plain ammonia, not with emulsifiers. I have only seen it being sold at Ace Hardware and Dollar Tree. Read the ingredients, and it should say only ammonia. Also, if you shake the bottle it should not get all bubbly like suds. They cost $2-$3 for 1/2 - 1 gallon bottle. You only need a few drops, i do 1 drop for every 2-3 gallons. This is critical, since it is very easy to overdose and the bacteria will not work with levels of ammonia over 5 ppm (happened once). I cycle my tanks by adding enough ammonia to read 2-3 ppm (test after hours of adding the ammonia). Then I wait for all params to be at 0 and add more ammonia drops, and wait for it to get to zero again. If I remember correctly this is similar to the instructions that Dr Tim's videos say.

I have done 3 of my own tanks that way, and several friend's as well. I don't deal with rotting shrimp or the inhumane way with livestock.

 

[jujuman16]

Almost forgot. I don't run my skimmers while cycling.