Question about cycling with Dr. Tim's One and Only.
- Thread starter glb
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
Not seeing Nitrites isn't an issue. Both Biospira and Dr Tims contain Nitrospira bacteria which convert ammonia to nitrate without releasing the nitrite into the water.
Remember, almost all nitrifying bacteria reproduce slowly. It takes 12-24 hours for them to double their population. If ammonia has been going down the last 12 hours it should go down faster the next 12 hours so you should start seeing the impact on nitrates tonight.
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glb
7500 Club Member
Ammonia this morning is 3-4ppm. I think the topoff water was the problem. I've treated it with Prime now. I have a new carbon cartridge on the way. The resin one looks like it still has a month or two. I know the ammonia is neutralized, but still there. I'm getting very frustrated.
Brew12
Electrical Gru
I'm really sorry you are going through this. I really think you have identified the cause of your cycling problems. Personally, I would continue to use Prime in any water you make until you replace the DI filter, also. Best to be on the safe side.
Unfortunately, you almost have to look at it as if yesterday is the first day of your cycle. The chloramine is a disinfectant that has killed all of the bacteria you have been trying to grow. You will get there.
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glb
7500 Club Member
So I'm going to toss the RODI water I have once the new filters come in. I've learned a lot about how RODI works. TDS of 0 doesn't necessarily mean the water is safe. I'm assuming that the biofilter will take care of the neutralized (by Prime) ammonia left in the water. I did test the nano and there's no ammonia there. Today I turn on the skimmer again. Should I go ahead and get more Biospira?
Brew12
Electrical Gru
I have done a ton of studying on nitrifying bacteria and cycling. What I don't know is if the chloramine would have wiped out the bacteria in the first bottle of Biospira in the short time between adding it and putting in the Prime. My thoughts are if you don't mind the time, effort, and cost of another bottle, it won't do any harm and may really jump start things. At this point I just don't have the confidence to make a recommendation toward adding it. Your situation is unlike anything I have read about.
I would add another dose of Prime just to be on the safe side today and maybe make it twice the recommended dose if you do decide to add more Biospira. Prime only neutralizes ammonia for 2 or 3 days. Bacteria can process it while it is neutralized which is a good thing. Unless your ammonia gets above 5ppm it won't do any harm to your cycle. Between 5ppm and 10ppm it can slow nitrifying bacteria growth. Above 10ppm can potentially start killing the bacteria.
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glb
7500 Club Member
So far the ammI have done a ton of studying on nitrifying bacteria and cycling. What I don't know is if the chloramine would have wiped out the bacteria in the first bottle of Biospira in the short time between adding it and putting in the Prime. My thoughts are if you don't mind the time, effort, and cost of another bottle, it won't do any harm and may really jump start things. At this point I just don't have the confidence to make a recommendation toward adding it. Your situation is unlike anything I have read about.
Prime only neutralizes ammonia for 2 or 3 days. Bacteria can process it while it is neutralized which is a good thing. Unless your ammonia gets above 5ppm it won't do any harm to your cycle. Between 5ppm and 10ppm it can slow nitrifying bacteria growth. Above 10ppm can potentially start killing the bacteria.
So far the ammonia hasn't gotten above 4. Since ammonia was being added with Prime-treated topoff water, I tend to think the cycle is working because the nitrates are rising but the ammonia is basically staying the same. If the cycle had totally stalled, I don't think I'd be seeing those numbers. I'll test shortly and report back!!!I have done a ton of studying on nitrifying bacteria and cycling. What I don't know is if the chloramine would have wiped out the bacteria in the first bottle of Biospira in the short time between adding it and putting in the Prime. My thoughts are if you don't mind the time, effort, and cost of another bottle, it won't do any harm and may really jump start things. At this point I just don't have the confidence to make a recommendation toward adding it. Your situation is unlike anything I have read about.
Prime only neutralizes ammonia for 2 or 3 days. Bacteria can process it while it is neutralized which is a good thing. Unless your ammonia gets above 5ppm it won't do any harm to your cycle. Between 5ppm and 10ppm it can slow nitrifying bacteria growth. Above 10ppm can potentially start killing the bacteria.
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glb
7500 Club Member
Ok I have the new cartridges in the RODI and I'm making some that I'll discard to get any residue from the cartridges. The water is coming out much faster!
Today's Numbers:
Ammonia: 2-3ppm
Nitrates: 10ppm
Today's Numbers:
Ammonia: 2-3ppm
Nitrates: 10ppm
Brew12
Electrical Gru
Looks like progress! Slow, but at least it is something!
I've done more reading and found some anecdotal evidence that Prime must be dosed at 4 times the recommended level to completely neutralize chloramine. The official line from Seachem is that "their lab is studying it" but that response was 3 years old with no follow up.
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