Anyone ever use Dr. Tims product?

[lwillis22]

I am setting up a new 240 gallon tank and my corals and fish are really needing to get out of the tub they are in. Someone recommended Dr. Tim's product to help kickstart the cycle. I just don't want to screw anything up.

 

[NTP66]

I've used Dr. Tim's with success, as have many others. Some people just hate the product in general, but there's actual science behind it.

 

[lwillis22]

Thanks for the reply. How long did it take for your tank to cycle using it?

 

[NTP66]

If I recall correctly, it cycled within 2 weeks, though I did wait a little longer anyway. I used it to cycle my QT, as well, and had the same results.

 

[inigomontoya]

I know several people, including myself, that have used it to cycle a new tank in a week.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

hmm never heard of it....What's the process of using it?

 

[Sk8r]

The problem often is that your rock only has a 'skin' of bacteria, ditto the sand. You say you have a bunch of fish. Ordinarily with a tank with just-barely cycling you'd use a cUC to break in the sandbed for four weeks before installing one fish.

That said, I've been in that pickle in a tank move, and all I can say is if you do it, hover over that tank with dailly or twice daily ammonia testing (Prime can screw that test, I have heard, but ask) and I'd do 20% water changes weekly, just to keep it safe, while feeding no more than what will let each fish fill its mouth once daily---no leftover food; and get a good CUC in there including nassarius. Start a log book and watch trends in your test results: don't let a reading get out of the good zone before you nudge it back. Good params for most tanks are in my sig line, if that helps.

 

[m0nkie]

I have used it to start my 100gal. I agree that it will work. However, it is only the beginning. cycling takes time. the bottle will provide you with initial bacteria. You need time for them to reproduce. Anybody telling you to cycle in 2 weeks and toss a fish in is doing it wrong. Or at least terrible for THAT fish.

my steps:

-dosed Dr Tim's One and Only.
-dosed Dr Tim's pure ammonia to 2ppm. FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DOT!
-I over did it with ammonia and tank took 3-4 weeks to cycle (0 ammonia 0 nitrite). did the 24hr ammonia test.. failed... waited another week. 24hr test passed
-water change, full CUC for 4 weeks
-added first fish.

cycle still took about 2-3 months.. but my room didn't smell like rotten shrimp.

 

[Sk8r]

I've always cycled with nothing more than a few flakes of fish food daily---which doesn't smell. People peeing into their tanks, dosing ammonia, dropping in rotting shrimp--shudder...I swear to you, a micropinch of flake food is far nicer.

 

[wooden_reefer]

I am setting up a new 240 gallon tank and my corals and fish are really needing to get out of the tub they are in. Someone recommended Dr. Tim's product to help kickstart the cycle. I just don't want to screw anything up.

Cycling is actually very easy.

There is no reason to spend any money on it.

 

[wooden_reefer]

If I recall correctly, it cycled within 2 weeks, though I did wait a little longer anyway. I used it to cycle my QT, as well, and had the same results.

Cycling for QT is already extremely easy.

What aid is really needed?

Bacteria seed, ammonia source, circulation.

 

[NTP66]

Cycling for QT is already extremely easy.

What aid is really needed?

Bacteria seed, ammonia source, circulation.

I didn't need it, but had a small bottle of it left that would have gone unused and past the expiration, so I put it to use.

 

[puck66871]

I have been looking at it to cycle a new tank. Sounds like some good results from it.

 

[lwillis22]

Thanks everyone for the great discussion. I probably should have just sold my fish and corals and started over. I myself can wait and be patient for it to cycle I just see my corals not doing so well and I think the fish are already gone. I did only have 2 fish that I kept anyway but still 2 too many to lose.