Cycle won't start (Dr Tims Method)

[LongWayHome]

@scarruth003 How is your tank, has there been any change?

Hello Fish Fan, hope you are well.

My ammonia spiked to ~4ppm yesterday. I decided to consulted the LFS I had been working with again and brought water in. Their test kit showed the same readings. We agreed that maybe the bacteria started dying off and caused the spike.

So as of yesterday it was:
~4ppm ammonia
0 nitrite
0 nitrate

They suggested that I do a 25% water change and just let it sit for 2 more weeks. Was also instructed to no longer add bacteria into the tank.

As of today, the readings are the same, but ammonia was back down to 2ppm.

I think I'm going to take the advice of others here and maybe ghost feed a bit (maybe just a single pellet or two). I was instructed to leave carbon out until the cycle was completed, but I'm willing to get it a shot to see if it at least starts the process.

 

[LongWayHome]

How much ammonia did you add? Exactly?

I agree with Fish Fan, I have used Fritz turbo start 900 twice now and find it excellent, just buy from a reliable place as it needs to be kept in the fridge. Fritz 9 is not so temp sensitive.

Hello Reef, I did as instructed and did the 4 drops per gallon with their ammonium chloride. The next morning, after it was added, it was at 2ppm.

I think I'm going to try the ghost feeding attempt for a week and if that doesn't work maybe try the Fritz 900.

 

[Reef.]

Hello Reef, I did as instructed and did the 4 drops per gallon with their ammonium chloride. The next morning, after it was added, it was at 2ppm.

I think I'm going to try the ghost feeding attempt for a week and if that doesn't work maybe try the Fritz 900.

I wouldnt add more food, food is not the issue its the bacteria apparently, as long as you added food, even without adding bacteria your cycle will be done in 30 days.

If you want you can add the fritz 900 and add a couple of fish at the same time, its designed that way, or add the fritz and wait a couple of days if you feel better adding the fish later.

 

[Fish Fan]

For the drops of ammonium chloride, I know there's a discrepancy in the instructions. I think the bottle tells you to use 4 drops/gallon, but his website suggests only 1 drop/gallon (or vice versa), and doing it the "wrong" way does result in very high ammonia. If it got very high, it could have impacted the bacteria population negatively.

I do agree with staying course, so to speak. My only thought is if your very high ammonia did result in a bacteria die off, it couldn't hurt to add some more. It never really hurts to add more bacteria.

When it's suggested that you "leave carbon out" during the cycle, that's referring to carbon filter media. The other posters talking about adding food are adding a form of carbon the microbes can utilize. I have no knowledge of if that helps or not, but others seems to feel it does.

 

[LongWayHome]

I do agree with staying course, so to speak. My only thought is if your very high ammonia did result in a bacteria die off, it couldn't hurt to add some more. It never really hurts to add more bacteria.

With this suggestion, maybe I should just go ahead and get the Fritz 900. I didn't think adding more bacteria would hurt and was surprised the LFS suggested not to after the water change.

 

[Fish Fan]

With this suggestion, maybe I should just go ahead and get the Fritz 900. I didn't think adding more bacteria would hurt and was surprised the LFS suggested not to after the water change.

Within reason, you can't really overdose the bacteria, and having more than one variety of product can be beneficial. I have always heard solid things about the Fritz products, usually Fritz TurboStart, but they have a few versions. I don't think adding one would be a bad idea at all.

 

[reefmaster70]

don't sweat it, you are still early on. but if you want to jump start it, get yourself a cup of live sand from a mature reef tank (either your petstore or if you know someone who has a tank) and put it into your tank. or a small chunk of liverock from a mature tank. That's all you'll really need. You did mention that you used "arag alive" sand as well. That sand is loaded with bacteria and is wet out of the bag on purpose. Between your sand, your Dr. Tims and maybe some sand or piece of rock from your LFS you'll be going in no time.

 

[LongWayHome]

Within reason, you can't really overdose the bacteria, and having more than one variety of product can be beneficial. I have always heard solid things about the Fritz products, usually Fritz TurboStart, but they have a few versions. I don't think adding one would be a bad idea at all.

Todays adventure took me to the only LFS that sold Fritz900. Unfortunately, they only had the largest bottle in stock at the time of visiting. They offered to crack open their large one and give what the 13.5g would need, but I refused. While it was kind of them, it wasn't really something that urgent for them to do such kindness for. So outside that LFS, the fastest I could get Fritz is 2 weeks, which I would hope the tank would be further along at that point.

I did talk with them about the situation and like the other LFS, they swore by Dr Tims, but only with a fish in cycle. Their first suggestion was that I put a saltwater acclimated molly into the tank and stay the course, but I still didn't want to go the livestock route. So they gave me some seeded rock and a 1/2 clam.

I'm kind of interested in seeing what happens at this point and if it goes bellyup, I don't really mind having to starting over.

 

[Fish Fan]

Todays adventure took me to the only LFS that sold Fritz900. Unfortunately, they only had the largest bottle in stock at the time of visiting. They offered to crack open their large one and give what the 13.5g would need, but I refused. While it was kind of them, it wasn't really something that urgent for them to do such kindness for. So outside that LFS, the fastest I could get Fritz is 2 weeks, which I would hope the tank would be further along at that point.

I did talk with them about the situation and like the other LFS, they swore by Dr Tims, but only with a fish in cycle. Their first suggestion was that I put a saltwater acclimated molly into the tank and stay the course, but I still didn't want to go the livestock route. So they gave me some seeded rock and a 1/2 clam.

I'm kind of interested in seeing what happens at this point and if it goes bellyup, I don't really mind having to starting over.

You're fine, there's no reason to start over :)

Don't worry about the Fritz, that piece of rock will add anything you don't already have, that's perfect.

 

[LongWayHome]

You're fine, there's no reason to start over :)

Don't worry about the Fritz, that piece of rock will add anything you don't already have, that's perfect.

I respect their marketing strategy of giving someone struggling a few seeded rock chunks so that they comeback when the tank does cycle. Thanks again for your assistance. Have a great weekend.

 

[Fish Fan]

I respect their marketing strategy of giving someone struggling a few seeded rock chunks so that they comeback when the tank does cycle. Thanks again for your assistance. Have a great weekend.

No worries, I hope I helped! Good luck going forward!

 

[gmavrom]

Hello,

I'm new to reef keeping and have run into an issue. If I need to be more patient please let me know.

I'm building a nano 13.5g and started the cycle a week 1/2 ago. I'm using the Dr Tims method with the ammonium chloride and nitrifying bacteria in a bottle. However, my ammonia has been on 2ppm for the entire week and 1/2 with no nitrite or nitrate showing. I've done no water changes, I've used a bottle 1/2 of bacteria to no avail. I know patience is key with saltwater, but at a week 1/2, I figured I would have nitrites at least. This is a fishless cycle attempt. I have not dosed any additional ammonia into the tank.

I'm a bit stuck and my LFS was also confused as to what may be causing the bacteria to not consume the juicy ammonia. I would find it hard to believe that I would get two faulty bacteria bottles.

Short and sweet list of the setup if it helps:
Stock Fluval EVO 13.5g (carbon removed)
Heater (78 degrees).
Salinity 1.025
CaribSea sand (Arag-Alive)
Dry Rock
RODI (0ppm)
Using the API Saltwater Master Kit

Took 10 days for mine to start

 

[LongWayHome]

Took 10 days for mine to start

Currently at ~17ish now. Nothing is budging, if the nitrites don't starting popping up by Friday, I plan to bring a water sample to a LFS with an analyzer. The ammonia ''''looked'''' like it may have dropped slightly recently, so maybe the API kit I do have is garbage. The piece of clam I had thrown in there is starting to breakdown a bit, so we'll see.

 

[gmavrom]

Took 10 days for mine to start

It may take a while; it took me 10 days or so

 

[LongWayHome]

I'm happy to say that I've finally gained nitrites. We're officially cycling!

I'm looking forward to starting this journey and thank you again everyone for the reassurance and feedback. See y'all once it's done cookin'.

 

[gmavrom]

I now have zero nitrates and nitrites. I will change some water and add 2 clowns for starters. I may add copepods to try and avoid the ugly cycle. can I add corals?