Tank Cycle w/ Dr. Tim's

cccharliecc · Jan 24, 2018

So I am cycling my tank right now with Dr. Tim's one and only and Dr. Tim's Ammonia.
I have dry rock, and live sand.

I am on Day 3 now, just added more ammonia drops to the tank. Ammonia is still crazy high.

My question is, can I now turn on my skimmer and put back my filter socks in the tank? It says to keep skimmer off, UV off and filter socks out for the first 48 hours.

If I can put the skimmer on and socks back in, should I also turn on the UV Sterilizer now too?

Thank you!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 24, 2018

When ammonia is elevated, don’t add more. After a couple of days since adding the bacteria, you can skim for aeration. There shouldn’t be much organic matter to skim out or collect in socks.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 24, 2018

Definitely no reason to run a uv

cccharliecc · Jan 24, 2018

Oh crap....I added more ammonia just based on dr tim’s chart/schedule.

Now it says not to add ammonia for 2 days.

I hope I didn’t screw up anything.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 24, 2018

How high is it now?

cccharliecc · Jan 24, 2018

It was 2+ when I tested earlier today, then I added more ammonia.
I'll test it again tomorrow and let you know.

cccharliecc · Jan 25, 2018

I am going to install new filter sock this morning, test ammonia then post the results here.
I am also going to turn on the skimmer a little later today.

IslandLifeReef · Jan 25, 2018

If the ammonia is greater than 4, I would do a partial water change to keep the cycle from stalling. Anything less than 4 and I think you will be fine. Don't add any more ammonia until your ammonia and nitrite fall below the level stated in the cycling program (both below .5ppm I believe).

cccharliecc · Jan 25, 2018

Not looking good.
It was like this yesterday too then I added 880 drops of ammonia. The bottle says 4 drops per gallon.

MounteeFrag · Jan 25, 2018

Did you use all of the One and Only? If not add more and wait a couple days and test.

cccharliecc · Jan 25, 2018

Yes, I added the whole bottle on Day 1

cccharliecc · Jan 25, 2018

I have these bottles. Do you think I should add some?
Not sure what to do from here… Should I wait this out a couple days, should I do a 30 gallon water change, or should I add a little bit of this stuff?

cccharliecc · Jan 25, 2018

Here are the backs of the bottles.

MounteeFrag · Jan 25, 2018

I would add the stability. Then wait 2 days and test. Then follow the directions form Dr Tim on adding ammonia.

lapin · Jan 25, 2018

Wait 1 day, test. Wait another day, test. Wait 1 last day, test. If your ammonia does not drop to .5 or lower in 3 days then do a big water change and start over with new bottles you have. Or if you are in a hurry do a big water change today and start over.
This is what I did for my cycle with Mr Tims. Dumped in a bottle of bacteria in a 100 gallon tub with dry rock. Turned on power head and heater. Dosed 1/2 dose ammonia to get to 1, not 2 . Tossed in a frozen shrimp. Waited 2 days. Tested. Ammonia was very low. Dosed ammonia to get back to 1.Tested to be sure I was at 1. Tested next day for nitrite and nitrate. Both showed up on the tests. Cycle is going strong. Light tank stocking, and not in a hurry.. This worked for me and your results may vary. Hope this helps you.

cccharliecc · Jan 25, 2018

I'm just worried because my ammonia is like 8
I may do a small water change today, just to take a little of the edge off and then wait a couple days testing each day. Then if things are still kinda high I may add the Seachem product, then test a couple more days.
Then when ammonia is low, like .5 or 1, maybe I will add more ammonia to raise it to 2, test, and make sure my bacteria can wipe it clean.

Does that sound like a good plan?

lapin · Jan 25, 2018

If you are really worried just change most of the water now. Use the 2 bottles of bacteria you have. There is not a whole lot of difference between Dr Tims and those. Bacteria need a little food (ammonia ) to get started multiplying. After they start they don't need a whole lot to live. As you add livestock, piece by piece over time, the bacteria will multiply as food the source grows. If you remove some live stock the bacteria level will adjust accordingly.