Fishless Cycle with Dr. Tim’s (Third Week)

[nickkohrn]

This is the first time that I have used Dr. Tim’s to start the initial nitrogen cycle for a newly-established system. This is the third week, and, at this point, it’s taking days for my ammonia and nitrite levels to drop to a value close to zero. I have read about people using products like these with results being a cycled system within days to a week.

My question is whether this is normal for some systems. I understand that this is a hobby that requires patience and moving slowly, which is how I prefer to take it. I’m not worried about speeding the cycling process up beyond the process of using Dr. Tim’s; I just want to see if this is normal when so many others have had livestock-ready systems within days.

 

[Retro Reefer]

There is no set time for a cycle but If you are using dry rock I would say your cycling process is probably about normal.. despite what you read nobody is going to have a cycled tank in days unless they are using rock, water and biological material from an established tank..

 

[Nick30G]

It is. I highly advice adding bottled bacteria as well. If you add bottled bacteria you will cycle within a few weeks. When I setup my tank I dosed 2ppm of ammonia using dr Tim's, and added a whole bottle of bio spira. This resulted in a full cycle within 2 weeks. Be patient. Take it slow. Nothing in the hobby happens fast. When you add fish do it very slowly and no more then 1-2 fish a month.

 

[4FordFamily]

Dr Tims is a good product— but it seems some bottles are better than others. @HotRocks had either an old bottle or a bad batch that was nearly useless. BioSpira took care of business almost immdediately.

 

[lion king]

++ on the bio spira, it wouldn't hurt to add a bottle. As others have said there are a few variables, dry rock only takes considerably longer.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I did my cycle in 3 weeks with Dr.Tim bacteria and ammonia with dry rock. Now, I only add ammonia a second time to make sure the bacteria was working and let the system run until I see no ammonia and Nitrites at zero. Then the Nitrates was at 50ppm and did a 10% water change and done.

 

[Huff747]

I've used both and I'd agree with the Bio Spira. Maybe I got a bad couple of bottles but the Dr Tim's didn't seem to get it going as well as the Bio Spira did.

 

[mrpizzaface]

Dr. Tim’s seems to be better when ordered directly from the Dr.Tim’s website. I’ve had amazon bottles that were duds.

 

[cracker]

I really don't think any of these "instant cycle" products work as advertised . They can speed up the process but not a miracle solution.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Dr Tims has built a huge reputation and deemed effective in the industry. Be sure there is rock, rubble , etc for the cultures to bond to and assist itself in the denitrifying stages.

 

[Shufflepig]

I really don't think any of these "instant cycle" products work as advertised . They can speed up the process but not a miracle solution.

The bio Spira has worked great for me. I can cycle my 10 gallon bare bottom QT tank with no live rock in 7-10 days by pouring the bio Spira on a sponge in the HOB filter. Has worked every time!!!

 

[nickkohrn]

The bio Spira has worked great for me. I can cycle my 10 gallon bare bottom QT tank with no live rock in 7-10 days by pouring the bio Spira on a sponge in the HOB filter. Has worked every time!!!

After you pour the BioSpira into the tank do you add ammonia to start the cycle?

 

[Shufflepig]

After you pour the BioSpira into the tank do you add ammonia to start the cycle?

I ghost feed with brine shrimp each day and follow the ammonia and nitrite each day. Usually get ammonia spike by day 2-3. A nitrite spike by day 5-6. And both values down to zero by day 8-10. When I add the fish I’ve never had ammonia or nitrite spike

 

[nickkohrn]

I ghost feed with brine shrimp each day and follow the ammonia and nitrite each day. Usually get ammonia spike by day 2-3. A nitrite spike by day 5-6. And both values down to zero by day 8-10. When I add the fish I’ve never had ammonia or nitrite spike

Thanks for the information! I’m getting ready to set up my first quarantine tank, and this was helpful.