Ohio Reef
Reef Discussion => Water Chemistry => Topic started by: SweetReefOH on June 21, 2019, 10:36:55
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I have my little isolated 20L set up. I introduced DrTims nitrifying bacteria, along with enough ammonium chloride to bring the ammonia up to roughly 1.5 (ATI) last Saturday 6-15-19. I am still not getting a nitrite reading a week later. I’ve never had it take this long when using BioSpira. What have you guys experienced with Dr Tim’s products? I know they are highly regarded, but I’m a little disappointed.
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Are you reading any ammonia or nitrates?
Perhaps it converted really fast and you missed it?
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Hi Mike, I’m up to 1.5 on ammonia. No nitrite, no nitrate
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is the tank carbon deficient. I had that starting out and added microbacter.
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I just started the tank Saturday. I’m trying to cycle it.
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I have my little isolated 20L set up. I introduced DrTims nitrifying bacteria, along with enough ammonium chloride to bring the ammonia up to roughly 1.5 (ATI) last Saturday 6-15-19. I am still not getting a nitrite reading a week later. I’ve never had it take this long when using BioSpira. What have you guys experienced with Dr Tim’s products? I know they are highly regarded, but I’m a little disappointed.
In order to asses the state of the cycle we need the current Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate level.
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Ammonia is between 1.0 - 2.0 (API)
Nitrite=0 (API)
Nitrate=0 (API & Salifert)
Sg=1.026
13lbs Dry Rock
6-15-19
Dosed nitrifying bacteria per DrTims instructions on the bottle and then Dosed 1mL Ammonium Chloride
6-16-19
Ammonia = 1-2
NO2=0
NO3=0
6-19-19
Dosed 2mL Nitrifying bacteria
Today
Ammonia=1-2
NO2=0
NO3=0
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190621/49da6a87820e9c8cfbf0cf520c57251c.jpg)
In order to asses the state of the cycle we need the current Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate level.
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What was the level of ammonia on 6/19 before you dosed the second round of ammonium chloride?
I would be more inclined to blame the quality/porosity of rock. Based on the picture it looked really dense. This real reef rock I have is junk. Maybe I will change my mind later but for now I am unimpressed with it
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The ammonia has stayed at 1-2 since I first dosed it. The rock isn’t too bad. 1 piece was a little dense but the others were quite light. After using this bacteria twice and having issues and also seeing no positive signs in my other tanks with the pro-biotic, I think DrTims products are over rated.
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When you mentioned you dosed 2ml on 6/19 was that 2ml of bacteria or 2ml of ammonium chloride?
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Update:
I started my cycle with DrTims one & only bacteria & ammonium chloride. For 12 days I have been waiting for a nitrite reading. I got tired of waiting and added a small bottle of BioSpira yesterday. In less than 24 hours the ammonia is gone and I finally have a nitrite reading of .5. My anecdotal experience is....DrTims bacteria sux!
Here’s my test today
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190628/5d462f81389affc6b5ed1edd45d7e6e1.jpg)
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Glad you got it going. Your on your way now
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I’ve had good luck with Dr. Tim’s one-and-only in the past, but you’ve got some good documentation there that it didn’t work for you. I once cycled a tank with it with fish and had only tiny readings for Amonia, and I never even got any nitrite. I’ve used Bio Spira too and it worked for me as well.
Interestingly, Dr. Tim invented Bio Spira while at Marineland. He also invented the bio-wheel. Just added some one-and-only to a new tank today. I will report back.
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Brian seemed to have good luck with it recently as well.
You’re right. I read that on a thread that DrTim invented BioSpira. I’ve used the one and only on two setups now and had trouble with the cycle on both. I think DrTim needs to go back to his old formula. Lol.
Let us know how your cycle goes.
I’ve had good luck with Dr. Tim’s one-and-only in the past, but you’ve got some good documentation there that it didn’t work for you. I once cycled a tank with it with fish and had only tiny readings for Amonia, and I never even got any nitrite. I’ve used Bio Spira too and it worked for me as well.
Interestingly, Dr. Tim invented Bio Spira while at Marineland. He also invented the bio-wheel. Just added some one-and-only to a new tank today. I will report back.