Dr Tims One and Only

[A$AP-Reefer]

Hey there guys! I haven't updated my build thread, I did start my tank up!

anyways, IMPORTANT QUESTIONS!!!


Started January 25th to present February 4th


so this is Day 9 of my Dr Tims fishless cycle, I have extremely high nitrites! im concerned and wondering what to do!!! here are my Specs.

P.H - 7.8 ( I know Its kinda low, im thinking due to the ammonia)
Nitrite - 5 ( purple right away on the first 5 seconds & has been this away the past few days)
ammonia - 1ppm ( its been staying at that for days now. )
Nitrate - 0 ( but idk if im color blind... which im not.. but looks like 5ppm)


PLEASEEEE HELP I never done a fishless cycle and wondering what to do next. I added the first dose of ammonia, I did add 1/4 of the amount recommended after the first dose.. is this nitrites going to toxify the nitrifying bacteria ! someone send HELP!

 

[RobZilla04]

Still cycling. Patience.

 

[A$AP-Reefer]

Still cycling. Patience.

That i undsrstand, but they said it nitrites get above 5ppm that it will cancel out the nitrifying bacteria and stop the cycling process? Im just confused and wanna make sure im doing this corrextly. Does the nitrates feed off the ammonia i am adding? Or is it vice versa?

 

[Wendy Rodgers]

1 up on Patience.... but...

You could add more Bacteria. Never 2 much.

 

[A$AP-Reefer]

1 up on Patience.... but...

You could add more Bacteria. Never 2 much.

Added 2 bottles in the begining of the cycle on day 9 currently. I just wnana make sure my nitrite levels arent gonna effect the process since theyre sky high. Just a bit nervous. [emoji854][emoji24]

 

[skynite]

Go with Bio Spira. Dr Tims didn't work for me. I started Dr Tims and a week later still nothing. Added a second bottle of Dr Tims and waited another week and still nothing. Added Bio Spira and 24 hours later Nitrites started to drop. five days later Nitrites was zero.

 

[User1]

I tend to agree with others - patience. I used Dr. Tim's around this time last year actually when I upgraded my 40 breeder to a 210 gallon. In any case since you mentioned fishless cycle, which I did as well, the key is:

1. Add water to proper salinity and temp
2. Dechlorinate if tap
3. Calculate estimated water volume
4. Grab bottle of Dr. Tim's one and only
5. Read instructions
6. Shake bottle
7. Add
8. Dose form of Ammonia (you need to do this step since you are using no fish that will generate it) to 2 ppm
9. Let sit 24 hours, test Ammonia to make sure it is 2 ppm
10 Wait a couple days and test Ammonia again

FAQ note:
Yes, but there is no real reason to do fishless cycling with One & Only. However, if you choose to go that route you need to add ammonia to the water after dosing the One & Only because the bacteria need some source of ammonia to start growing a bigger population. Dose ammonia to an initial concentration of 2 to 4 ppm which should disappear quickly, with nitrate increasing a little then disappearing. Dose one or two more times with ammonia and after your test kits show no ammonia and nitrite, it is safe to start adding fish.

Ammonia is the key. It may take a couple days to do this. There is a thread on this forum which this was tested a couple times and shows it works but not in 24 hours. It is a week if not more. Mine took 20 some odd days. You will see ammonia start to get processed over time then reach 0. Once that happens dose ammonia again to 2 ppm and it should process in less than 24 hours. Once that is done you can add fish... Note - FISH. There is still tank maturing to happen before you start introducing corals, etc. This is the idea anyway so again - double check instructions and FAQ since I am more or less usually incorrect but at least can point you to the right area. It worked for me anyway.