DanH86
Active Member
I had similar nitrite readings after 35 days cycling so did a 50% water change. Nitrites still read off the chart and didn’t drop over the next 7 days so I dumped in a bottle of bacteria and overnight they went to 0.
Dr Tim’s Cycle
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I see this stuff on sale on all the sites and I assume thats because its getting old, once the bacteria eats up the ammonia in the bottle its game over. Where did you buy yours?Not budging. Anyone save your money. What is he even a Dr of except charging money and having a cycle last forever lol
Dvanlier05
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Are you sure you followed the directions correctly? I have used Dr. Tim's 4 times and had my tank cycled in 2 weeks with no problems. http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling
It can be a little confusing for first time users. I'm thinking you could have added the 2nd or 3rd dose of ammonia too soon and there is not enough good bacteria yet to continue the nitrogen cycle.
It can be a little confusing for first time users. I'm thinking you could have added the 2nd or 3rd dose of ammonia too soon and there is not enough good bacteria yet to continue the nitrogen cycle.
ReeferNtraining
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Precisely! I personally think DrTims is bottled water. On my most recent tank setup I waited 4 weeks and was still having high nitrite. I added BioSpira and the cycle was then done in 3 days. I will not be using DrTims again. It’s done this on 3 different new systems I’ve set up. Just my personal experience.
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Rollman
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Thanks. Yes I’m certain I used correctly, it’s pretty simple actually. Add whole bottle of dr t fake bacteria and dose ammonia. Haven’t dosed anything else since. Things have moved except nitrites.
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Rollman
Active Member
BRS
If you want to prove your tank is cycled and dr Tim’s is not fake, we have a way. All you have to agree to is a full water change, take and post an ammonia reading thereafter and we know it’s zero due to the full change. then redose liquid ammonium chloride until the tester shows 1/2 ppm ammonia or the slightest free ammonia change it can register, do not dose to 2 ppm. First increment of change, stop.
Retest ammonia in 24 hours it’s back to calibrated zero reading above and you are cycled. Nitrite doesn’t factor in reef tank cycling, you are tracking the wrong measure.
I’m aware the directions mention nitrite, but caribsea sand also says you don’t have to pre rinse it and I’ve got a thousand people that say you do have to
Your tank is cycled, if you want to run that calibrated zero test above we will link your thread to the several others we collect in the microbiology of cycling thread
Retest ammonia in 24 hours it’s back to calibrated zero reading above and you are cycled. Nitrite doesn’t factor in reef tank cycling, you are tracking the wrong measure.
I’m aware the directions mention nitrite, but caribsea sand also says you don’t have to pre rinse it and I’ve got a thousand people that say you do have to
Your tank is cycled, if you want to run that calibrated zero test above we will link your thread to the several others we collect in the microbiology of cycling thread
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Rollman
Active Member
I used about 1 drop per as it rose my ammonia to almost 2 ppm
Yep I’m totally sure your tank is cycled, this is going off submersion time and boosters not the approximation tests. Change your water and it’s ready, that was a lot of starting ammonia/feed if it was back sept 4th. It’s already oxidized it down...proof of active bac.
Ammonia converting bac seat it really fast, the thread from Dr Reef shows. Any movement down of ammonia in your tank from sept 4th till now is literally the submersion time+ booster proofing from the cycling thread.
Ammonia converting bac seat it really fast, the thread from Dr Reef shows. Any movement down of ammonia in your tank from sept 4th till now is literally the submersion time+ booster proofing from the cycling thread.
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Rollman
Active Member
If you want to prove your tank is cycled and dr Tim’s is not fake, we have a way. All you have to agree to is a full water change, take and post an ammonia reading thereafter and we know it’s zero due to the full change. then redose liquid ammonium chloride until the tester shows 1/2 ppm ammonia or the slightest free ammonia change it can register, do not dose to 2 ppm. First increment of change, stop.
Retest ammonia in 24 hours it’s back to calibrated zero reading above and you are cycled. Nitrite doesn’t factor in reef tank cycling, you are tracking the wrong measure.
If you dosed bottle bac and ammonia on sept 4th and if you aren’t testing wastewater with a kit unable to measure wastewater compounds correctly it’ll show cycled.
Another way to show it’s cycled, add a fish and it doesn’t die. Don’t add him to wastewater, change out the starting block break in oil for new.
cycle ump #314 from the microbiology of cycling thread
Thanks. I’ll try that. Just weird I’m tracking the wrong measure now. Before it’s when nitrites turn to nitrates it’s done ? I have done this before, just warning fellow members to save the hundo. I would be at the same place with a dead shrimp.
Anthony Cusumano
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I dosed dr tims one and only and his ammonia 10 days ago and my ammonia has been 8+ppm since. I believe the dosage on the ammonia is incorrect as I am 4x the ppm I wanted. Do I ride it out or should I do a water change? Don’t mind it lasting longer but do not want excessive nitrates in the end.
Kjames
Active Member
I've only used the new version that specifies 4 drops per gallon and that gave me about 2ppm. Sounds like you got a pretty weak batch of Dr. Tims. Always wondered what conditions those cultures can survive - like hot mailboxes in the summer, etc. I'd tell BRS about you experience.
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Rollman
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That is too high imo. That’s the other thing about Tim who is not a dr, the new dosing for ammonia seems incorrect.
My 0.2 cents, with my last build, Dr Tim's did not seem to work for me. Ordered it off Amazon, added it and dosed ammonia. 3 weeks later, still ammonia and nitrite. So I dumped a bottle of Bio Spira. 2 weeks I later, I can process the ammonia overnight.
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