Cycle

[TylerJaid]

I am on day 11 of fish less cycle and have not seen ammonia drop at all. On day one I added 1 bottle of dr Tim's and dosed tank with ammonium chloride to 2ppm (what it looks like to me). I also have zero nitrates and zero nitrite as of right now. Is this normal? Should I add more bacteria?? Thanks to anyone in advance.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

You may have a bad bottle of Dr Tims

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

I would keep going because the natural cycle will be kicking in soon

 

[ScottJ]

What test kits are you using?

 

[TylerJaid]

I would keep going because the natural cycle will be kicking in soon

I was thinking I may have had a bad bottle, do you think adding another bottle would hurt anything??

 

[TylerJaid]

What test kits are you using?

It's the api master test kit, I know that they are not the best but I didn't really have the money to go all out on an ammonia test kit

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

I was thinking I may have had a bad bottle, do you think adding another bottle would hurt anything??

Only dose per directions, store it in the fridge, if you chose to go with another dose

 

[TylerJaid]

Only dose per directions, store it in the fridge, if you chose to go with another dose

I dosed the entire bottle it said it treated 60 gallons and I have a 55! But thank you for the info!

 

[ScottJ]

It's the api master test kit, I know that they are not the best but I didn't really have the money to go all out on an ammonia test kit

API can be very hard to read. If you can, just get a good nitrate kit because that's really what you are looking for. A full tank picture helps everyone see what's going on, also.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Dr. Tim's bacteria can't take quite awhile to 'wake-up', but I'd say 11 days is a bit long. What I would do is add some live rock (doesn't have to be much), them wait it out til the cycle is over which won't be long.

 

[TylerJaid]

API can be very hard to read. If you can, just get a good nitrate kit because that's really what you are looking for. A full tank picture helps everyone see what's going on, also.

I will upload a couple of pictures, I do have to hob filters, I ran them on a fish only tank quite a few years back and they worked good for me so I was going to try them while I save up some money. I'll look into a good nitrate kit are you reffering to Hanna??

 

[TylerJaid]

Dr. Tim's bacteria can't take quite awhile to 'wake-up', but I'd say 11 days is a bit long. What I would do is add some live rock (doesn't have to be much), them wait it out til the cycle is over which won't be long.

Where do you get the live rock?? I have "live sand" and just dry rock carribsea, I'll look into live rock, maybe add another bottle of bacteria? I will keep everyone updated and thank you all for the replies!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Where do you get the live rock?? I have "live sand" and just dry rock carribsea, I'll look into live rock, maybe add another bottle of bacteria? I will keep everyone updated and thank you all for the replies!

Your LFS, or if you have to order online Tampa Bay saltwater is the best IMO. The live sand isn't the best. All it is sand with bottled bacteria that isn't good where as live rock or live sand from the ocean has real bacteria that has been either in the ocean or in an established tank, both are mature with mature bacteria.

 

[TylerJaid]

I will upload a couple of pictures, I do have to hob filters, I ran them on a fish only tank quite a few years back and they worked good for me so I was going to try them while I save up some money. I'll look into a good nitrate kit are you reffering to Hanna??

Here's a picture of the tank, hasn't been cloudy or anything the water has been nice and clear since day one

 

[TylerJaid]

Your LFS, or if you have to order online Tampa Bay saltwater is the best IMO. The live sand isn't the best. All it is sand with bottled bacteria that isn't good where as live rock or live sand from the ocean has real bacteria that has been either in the ocean or in an established tank, both are mature with mature bacteria.

I'll look into Tampa saltwater as the nearest saltwater store that I've heard anything good on is about six hours from where I am at!

 

[TylerJaid]

Still looks to be right at 2 ppm ammonia and nothing nitrate or nitrite wise end of day 12

 

[PharmrJohn]

Did you turn off your skimmer?

 

[TylerJaid]

Did you turn off your skimmer?

Yup no skimmer on, I do have the hob filter running though, should I shut this off??

 

[Spare time]

Just add some fritz or biospira and be done in a week.

 

[TylerJaid]

Just add some fritz or biospira and be done in a week.

Got some bio spira on order should be here in a few days I'll add it!