Dr Tims Cycling help

[tramsden]

I have a red sea reefer 250, 2okgs of real reef rock and bare bottomed tank.

I added 240mls of Dr Tims 1 and only bacteria Jan 9th, 9 days ago together with 250 drops of ammonium chloride.

Next day NH4= .15 NO2=1.0 NO3=100

12 Jan added 250 drops ammonium chloride, 2 hours later test showed NH4=0.5

14 Jan NH4=0 NO2=.25 NO3=100
15 Jan added 2L Siporax to sump
18 Jan NH4=0 NO2=.25 NO3=100

What should I do next and does the siporax need seeding with more Dr Tims, I have a 120ml bottle unopened.

Any help gratefully accepted
Tony

 

[jurgenph]

that's a hell of a lot of NO3

i think you only needed about 50 drops of the ammonium chloride. one per gallon.

your denitrifying bacteria haven't caught up with the nitrifying ones yet.
give it more time, or start doing water changes to get your NO3 down.


J.

 

[mcgyvr]

What exactly is "real reef rock"?
Was it dry rock or rock that had already been in saltwater for a while?

To me your tank is already cycled..
No matter what I would NOT add any more ammonia.. You have added way too much already as evident by your excessive nitrates..
You should do large water changes to bring it down..