Cycle question

[fladiver]

Setting up a 45G FOWLR tank. Added dry rock and live sand and water.

Then added Dr Tim’s one and only.

Also bought Dr Tim’s ammonium chloride. When do I add that? Should I wait a day after the initial setup and adding of bacteria? Then follow instructions on bottle for dosing per gallon? Thanks!

 

[fishywishy]

Add them at the same time.

 

[fladiver]

So, added ammonium and Dr Tim’s on day 1. 2 days later, tests showed ~2ppm of Ammonium but 0 for nitrites and nitrates. I then did almost another full dose of Dr Tim’s (but no more ammonium.

2 days later (today), test results were same. No noticeable showing of nitrate/nitrate and ammonium looked same.

I have kept off the UV sterilizer, have a wave maker running, and also have been running my Tidal 75 HOB filter which has a built-in skimmer as well as seachem matrix bag, some rubble, and two filter sponge cutouts. Is that somehow affecting this?

Should I keep giving it some time? Have heard the Fritz can quicken the cycle..is it worth going that route in a few days if more of the same? And if so, should I remove anything from my Tidal filter?

 

[Fish Fan]

Dr. Tim's works, but is not known to be fast acting. Fritz TurboStart is supposed to work much more quickly. I'd either wait it out, or add some TurboStart if you want the cycle to go faster.

Good luck!

 

[fishywishy]

So, added ammonium and Dr Tim’s on day 1. 2 days later, tests showed ~2ppm of Ammonium but 0 for nitrites and nitrates. I then did almost another full dose of Dr Tim’s (but no more ammonium.

2 days later (today), test results were same. No noticeable showing of nitrate/nitrate and ammonium looked same.

I have kept off the UV sterilizer, have a wave maker running, and also have been running my Tidal 75 HOB filter which has a built-in skimmer as well as seachem matrix bag, some rubble, and two filter sponge cutouts. Is that somehow affecting this?

Should I keep giving it some time? Have heard the Fritz can quicken the cycle..is it worth going that route in a few days if more of the same? And if so, should I remove anything from my Tidal filter?

Just wait it out. Cycling takes time. Fritz does cycle faster, but I would just wait it out.

 

[fladiver]

Just wait it out. Cycling takes time. Fritz does cycle faster, but I would just wait it out.

Thanks. Does it sound like having my filter media in there could be causing the issue?

 

[Fish Fan]

Also, remove any mechanical filtration like pads or filter floss, and turn off your skimmer and/or UV if you have them while the tank is cycling.

 

[mjszos]

Thanks. Does it sound like having my filter media in there could be causing the issue?

I'd suggest taking out any filter media, turning off skimmers, etc.

 

[fishywishy]

Thanks. Does it sound like having my filter media in there could be causing the issue?

No.

 

[fladiver]

UV sterilizer hasn’t been on at all. Tidal 75 has skimmer built in, although I don’t think it is a legit skimmer.

I can take out the pads; should I also remove the seachem matrix bag? The rubble too? Thanks!

 

[fishywishy]

UV sterilizer hasn’t been on at all. Tidal 75 has skimmer built in, although I don’t think it is a legit skimmer.

I can take out the pads; should I also remove the seachem matrix bag? The rubble too? Thanks!

Leave them all in there. You want the bacteria to colonize them.

 

[Fish Fan]

UV sterilizer hasn’t been on at all. Tidal 75 has skimmer built in, although I don’t think it is a legit skimmer.

I can take out the pads; should I also remove the seachem matrix bag? The rubble too? Thanks!

The Matrix and rubble are fine, but best practice is to remove all mechanical filtration, such as filter pads, floss, sponges, etc. while the tank is cycling. You want the bacteria to settle on the rocks, sand, and other sufaces, as well as your Matrix and rubble. You don't want them trapped in mechanical filtration that you just remove and toss. Same with legit protein skimmers and UV sanitizers; leave them off when the tank is cycling. Your SeaChem Tidal has a built in surface skimmer, that's not the same as a protein skimmer.

 

[fladiver]

The Matrix and rubble are fine, but best practice is to remove all mechanical filtration, such as filter pads, floss, sponges, etc. while the tank is cycling. You want the bacteria to settle on the rocks, sand, and other sufaces, as well as your Matrix and rubble. You don't want them trapped in mechanical filtration that you just remove and toss. Same with legit protein skimmers and UV sanitizers; leave them off when the tank is cycling. Your SeaChem Tidal has a built in surface skimmer, that's not the same as a protein skimmer.

Thanks for clarification.

I took out the pads/sponges and left rock and matrix. Also poured in a little more of the Dr Tim’s. Will plan to test ammonium and nitrites tomorrow.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks for clarification.

I took out the pads/sponges and left rock and matrix. Also poured in a little more of the Dr Tim’s. Will plan to test ammonium and nitrites tomorrow.

Sounds like a good plan, let us know how it goes :)

 

[fladiver]

things seem to be looking up. Tested on Thursday and still no sign of nitrites. Tested yesterday and saw the first hint of water turning to purple (sorry in advance, using API for now). Tested nitrite again today and it was noticeably more violet. I’m right at 9 days after starting, so seems to be about on schedule. I’ll plan to test nitrates tomorrow.

Thinking my plan will be to do a 10-20% water change once tank can clear out ammonia in 24-48 hours.

Any thoughts on whether I could add a few CUCs this week just to start small bioload and get some movement/turnover in tank sand? Was thinking maybe a shrimp, few hermits, and an emerald crab?

 

[fladiver]

Also - any thoughts on whether I should consider adding copepods? I didn’t do that in my previous tank, but seems like they are pretty highly thought of around here…

 

[Fish Fan]

Personally, I'd wait just a little longer before adding anything larger than a bacterium :-)

Sounds like your cycle is well on its way, I'd let the cycle complete, then look into 'pods and a CUC.

 

[fladiver]

Personally, I'd wait just a little longer before adding anything larger than a bacterium :)

Sounds like your cycle is well on its way, I'd let the cycle complete, then look into 'pods and a CUC.

Appreciate your time and thoughts.

 

[Fish Fan]

Appreciate your time and thoughts.

Thank you! I don't claim to be any kind of expert, but I do hope I've helped.

As always, good luck!

 

[fladiver]

Here is latest API test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. I’ll probably take to LFS later this week, but seems like nitrites continue to rise, ammonia still looks to be close to 2ppm, and even a hint of nitrates?

With this, I’m assuming I don’t need to add any more ammonium at the moment and should wait until it starts decreasing. Does that make sense?