Cycling with Dr.Tims

[countyblue66]

I am currently in the process of starting my first saltwater tank. Have cycled many freshwater tanks over the years without issue only using ammonia and generally taking around six weeks for all parameters to be correct. The tank is all set up with RODI water, filtration, wavemaker and heater. My LFS advised to use bottled bac to cycle tank so I chose Dr.Tims one and only saltwater with Dr.Tims ammonia. Followed the instructions and I am now currently on day 11. Have tested as per instructions ie day two, day 4 , day 5,day 7, day 8 and the results were exactly the same ph 8.00, ammonia 2.00 and nitrites 0. Clearly not yet added any fish and have continued to test. Day 9 & 10 the results have not changed but today(day 11) the ammonia has rocketed to 8.00. Equally concerned that the nitrites dont appear to have moved. Something doesnt appear right or am I over thinking things and the ammonia will start to drop. Any advice will be greatly appreciated as I have spent months researching and want to ensure that everything is correct before I start stocking the tank.

 

[Spare time]

Can you take a picture of the test kit results? I have seen lots of threads with weird experiences cycling with Dr. Tims that I have stopped recommending it. Maybe throw in a bottle of biospira or fritz (turbo or zyme 9).

 

[countyblue66]

Can you take a picture of the test kit results? I have seen lots of threads with weird experiences cycling with Dr. Tims that I have stopped recommending it. Maybe throw in a bottle of biospira or fritz (turbo or zyme 9).

Thanks for your response. If throwing in a different bottle of bacteria would you add a source of ammonia!! How often would you test your parameters...

 

[TX_REEF]

Thanks for your response. If throwing in a different bottle of bacteria would you add a source of ammonia!! How often would you test your parameters...

it looks like you already have plenty of ammonia, no need to add more.

To the extent it helps, my system took 6 weeks to cycle fully with Dr. Tims and bottled bacteria. I would highly recommend you add a bit of quality live rock to seed with mature bacteria. Tampa bay saltwater is great, check out their treasure chests. You could also find a local hobbyist with a clean, mature system willing to part with a bit of live rock for cheaper.

 

[alpenreef]

Definitely don’t add more ammonia. Is there anything in there that would cause an ammonia spike? Maybe live rock with some gunk (or a crab etc) on it that is rotting?

 

[countyblue66]

Definitely don’t add more ammonia. Is there anything in there that would cause an ammonia spike? Maybe live rock with some gunk (or a crab etc) on it that is rotting?

Thanks for you reply. There is no live rock in the tank. All very confusing. Would another bottle of a different bac help - Fritz perhaps!!

 

[countyblue66]

it looks like you already have plenty of ammonia, no need to add more.

To the extent it helps, my system took 6 weeks to cycle fully with Dr. Tims and bottled bacteria. I would highly recommend you add a bit of quality live rock to seed with mature bacteria. Tampa bay saltwater is great, check out their treasure chests. You could also find a local hobbyist with a clean, mature system willing to part with a bit of live rock for ch

 

[countyblue66]

it looks like you already have plenty of ammonia, no need to add more.

To the extent it helps, my system took 6 weeks to cycle fully with Dr. Tims and bottled bacteria. I would highly recommend you add a bit of quality live rock to seed with mature bacteria. Tampa bay saltwater is great, check out their treasure chests. You could also find a local hobbyist with a clean, mature system willing to part with a bit of live rock for cheaper.

Im based in England so Tampa a bit far to travel!! Would adding another bottle of bac maybe Fritz help or should I just sit things out and be patient...

 

[TX_REEF]

more bacteria can't hurt, and patience of course is a given if you want to be successful with this hobby.

 

[alpenreef]

Thanks for you reply. There is no live rock in the tank. All very confusing. Would another bottle of a different bac help - Fritz perhaps!!

And you haven’t kept dosing ammonia beyond the 2ppm total recommended, correct?
Fritz wouldn’t hurt but with 8ppm, that tank will never cycle (or take months). Do a 75% water change to reduce it down to 2ppm, then dose Fritz turbostart. But no ammonia!

 

[fishyjoes]

Fritz turbo start and intant ocean bio-spira both work very well
Dr.Tims works also, but not as quickly
There's a detailed testing thread here:

Not all Cycling Bacteria are created equal. Who's who, and what do they need?

My hypothesis is that there are very different types of Bacteria that are being used to "cycle" tanks to prevent ammonia accumulation, and it's not entirely clear which products contain which group, and it's also poorly understood what the requirements are for one of these groups to do their...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Spare time]

Thanks for your response. If throwing in a different bottle of bacteria would you add a source of ammonia!! How often would you test your parameters...

Don't bother adding more ammonia in. I usually just wait a week to test. If you want to help speed things up, raising the temp to 81F (27C) and slightly lowering the salinity should do that.

 

[countyblue66]

And you haven’t kept dosing ammonia beyond the 2ppm total recommended, correct?
Fritz wouldn’t hurt but with 8ppm, that tank will never cycle (or take months). Do a 75% water change to reduce it down to 2ppm, then dose Fritz turbostart. But no ammonia!

Only dosed ammonia as recommended then as previously mentioned the ammonia has sky rocketed...