Dr. Tim's Fishless Cycling
- Thread starter Chris918
- Start date
In my experiences with dr.tims & biospira is that it converts ammonia to nitrite very quickly but it still takes forever for nitrite to convert to nitrate. I believe that is why they say that they are ready for fish in a couple of days, because it converts the ammonia to nitrite quickly & nitrite isn't that toxic in saltwater unless it gets extremely high.
In my experiences it may have sped up the overall cycle but if it did it wasn't by much.
In my experiences it may have sped up the overall cycle but if it did it wasn't by much.
Horace
New member
All you need to really test for is Nitrite. Not really Nitrate. Once all Nitrite is gone, that means the cycle is complete. This implies that all that nitrite was converted to Nitrate. It may not be a bad idea (if you are doing the ammonia method), is to add additional ammonia and see if you get a bad nitrite spike again. If the tank is properly cycled the ammonia will be very quickly turned into nitrate. A properly cycled tank wont ever have nitrite detectable (unless a huge amount of ammonia is added)
The tricky thing is if you built up enough bacteria to handle your fish load, which is normally why they tell you to go slow adding fish. Let the tank build up its biomass along with your bioload.
Also, once the tank is cycled, don't wait around adding fish. If you do that bacteria will die from no added food....you have to keep the cycle going!
Troublekitty
New member
Is that what is called Diatom bloom? Lol forgive my Okie knowledge peeps. Need to know what I am talking about because my 8 yr old is even more keen than I am. [emoji1] [emoji1] [emoji1]
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Its hard to tell with the purple rock. You''ll start to notice it on the sand too. Just let it take over your tank. Its all part of the process.
Nerayan
New member
Thank you. I may need to purchase a cooling fan. Tank temp is showing 81°F. Mini heatwave I've checked my heater and it's set to 78. Or should I lower it to 76 to offset the 2 degree difference
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Fish Monger
New member
Hmmmm?? Seems off the charts if you ask me.
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Let your ammonia and nitrite hit 0, then add 2 ppm ammonia ( there are calculators out there for adding ammonia). Wait for ammonia to hit 0. If you can clear 2 ppm ammonia in 24 hours or less, you have a decent cycle going. Then I would reccomend doing a large water change, and adding fish
Nerayan
New member
I did a large one 3 days ago. But I shall do another today.
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Fish Monger
New member
You shouldn't do water changes during cycle. Let me repeat that. Don't water change during cycle, UNLESS ammonia or nitrite goes over like 7 ppm, because that stalls the cycle. So once again. Don't do a water change unless ammo/nitrite is crazy high, or if the cycle is finished and you are going to add fish
Nerayan
New member
Ok. Good thing I read this was just about to head off to my local fish shop for some saltwater. #patience.
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Nerayan
New member
Ammonia
2ppm yesterday and now at 0.25ppm.
Nitrite
50ppm yesterday and is now 0 ppm.
Nitrates were 10 yesterday and now 20.
However, I haven't seen a Diatom bloom. (I did keep my lights on throughout the cycling process).
I'm I cycled? Don't want to add fish or Do a water change and it ends in disaster.
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2ppm yesterday and now at 0.25ppm.
Nitrite
50ppm yesterday and is now 0 ppm.
Nitrates were 10 yesterday and now 20.
However, I haven't seen a Diatom bloom. (I did keep my lights on throughout the cycling process).
I'm I cycled? Don't want to add fish or Do a water change and it ends in disaster.
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
bmrigs
New member
Diatom bloom will come soon. So get ready to figure out a clean up crew.
Nerayan
New member
Another few weeks and I reckon I'll be ready for some clowns?
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