I always wondered how people set up a quicks quaratine if It takes a little while to cycle! Also I am adding your product tonight. How soon after cycling ends can I turn lights on and add zoas to a frag tank? I also only have rubble and bio balls. Are you saying it will take a lot longer because I dont have sand? I just thought of something. You said bacteria need something to adhere so should I add my frag racks first? I don t have them yet but can pick up soon and will that hurt the cycle if I add them later after cycling?
Good afternoon Dr Tim. I plan on dosing one and only to a newly set up nano tank. Your instructions say to remove the filter socks but keep the filter floss and biomedia in the filter while running. Will the filter floss trap the bacteria as well? Also, should I turn off the pump while dosing to allow the bacteria to settle on the substrate or can I leave it running?
quesrion about the ammonium chloride, does it expires? i ordered two when i first set up my tank. then i have to quit because i need to migrate. now im back (after 4 yrs)and want to set up a tank again. can i still use the other ammonium chloride i have?
Hello again, @DrTimsaquatics, Is it possible to perform a water change on my 20 gal? It is day 9 on my aquarium cycle and my parameters are: pH 7.4, Ammonia 0 ppm, Nitrite 2.0 ppm, and Nitrate 160 ppm. So far the product is working. But, I’d like to see if I can address the problem. There hasn’t been any changes to the water chemistry for a few days. Thank you for reading this message, and I hope to hear from you soon. Javan.
Hello, I have a question about the fishless cycle. I have a 10 galoon aquarium but filled with only 7.5 galoon of water (after substraction of the gravel volume). I have added 7.5ml exactly of the one and only bacteria and 30 drops of the ammonium chloride. It is now day 2 and the ammonia is at about 2ppm but no sign of nitrites. Should I add the rest of the one and only Bacteria bottle or just wait? Thanks in advance, Ido.
Hello @DrTimsaquatics, I have a question about your product. Is it normal for my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate spiking up at the same time? It does feel quite worriesome for me right now. According to your video, you mentioned that the all in one contains ammonia and nitrite oxidizers correct? So, are these oxidizers causing these spikes to occur? I have a 20 gal reef aquarium, with clip-on LED lights, 20 gal filter, heater, 20 lb real reef rock, silver heater, powerhead, and live sand. Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon. Javan
In your case yes. The live sand is adding ammonia to the water as the organics in the live sand decay - so that is the ammonia spike. The bacteria converting ammonia to nitrite are causing the nitrite spike. As for the nitrate spike - the way the nitrate test work is that it first convert nitrate to nitrite and then measures nitrite. So in fact it measures BOTH nitrate and nitrite. Since you nitrite is spiking due to the bacteria you would expect the nitrate to spike since the nitrate kit measures nitrite also. So just stop measuring nitrate when your nitrite is spiking - don't worry about nitrate at this point.
Would you also recommend leaving out *all* mechanical filtration while cycling with this bacteria? That way the only thing they can get stuck to is the substrate, rock, and biological filter media?
I just bought my first bottle today, here in AUSTRALIA in 2023, to deal with an urgent ammonia problem.There is NO USE BY DATE or manufacturing date on the bottle anywhere. There is a 'batch number' where Dr.Tim said there should be a n expiry date. The batch number means nothing to me. What's going on Dr.Tim? How do I know from this meaningless batch number if my new bottle is still 'IN date'? Please advise good doctor 🙂 . . . further, is this a single dose regime or do I apply that same dose for the first 7 days or something like that
I have a 20H freshwater tank. No fish. I tried everything to get the ammonia down. Nitrates are at 0 and ph is 7.5. Ammonia when I tested ranged from 6.0-8.0. I have done 2 50% water changes in a week I had the tank filled. I have live plants and rock decorations. I use Prime and stress coat +. But still no luck. Will your product work.
Hi Dr. tim, I am currently cycling a tank that has about 2 ppm of ammonia, no nitrites and no nitrates. I just purchased your ammonium chloride and your Freshwater One and Only. Should I just add the one and only right now, or should I use a tiny bit of the ammonium chloride to raise the levels? Also, what water temperature is optimal for the freshwater One and Only bacteria? Thanks!
This is a four year old video. I highly doubt their team is looking back through UA-cam comments to answer questions. You are better off emailing them at the email Dr. Tim mentioned in the last moments of the video. Cheers!
Hello Dr. Tim, first time salt water hobbyist, using a 20g IM tank with live sand and following your guide for cycling. On day 6, readings are Ammonia: 0, Nitrite 2, and Nitrate 50-70. Do I add ammonium chloride or wait another few days? Thanks and happy new year to you!
@@DrTimsAquatics on day 10 Dr. Tim, added Ammonium Chloride on the 3rd, measurements today: Ammonia 0, nitrite 4, Nitrate 40. Should I wait a few more days, add half dose of ammonium chloride, or do water change? I watched your speech on the updated cycle @ MACNA 2019 and using that as a guide. Thanks!
Hi Dr Tim,. 14 day and 0 ammonia, 2 nitrites, 100 nitratee after 40% water change. 1.23 salinity, 7.9 ph amd alkalinity is 10.9. What do you recommended the mext steps? Or what ks happening? thank you.
Good evening @Drtimsaquatics, After our last talk, I’ve managed to bring my pH back to 8.2. However, my nitrite and nitrate levels are still the same. I was curious if dosing ammonia again would help rid of the nitrite and nitrate issue? Would it also hinder the cycle? Thank you for reading this message. I hope to hear from you soon. Javan.
@Drtimsaquatics, Yes. But I haven’t dose ammonia just yet. I’ve held off my action until I could hear advice from you. Right now, it is day 15 of my aquarium being up.
Hi, My tank was cycled a while ago but made the mistake off adding a lot more fish. Everything spiked. All died. I added more bacteria bug at same time wqs using prime Beacuse I had one surviving fish. I had stop dosing prime for a while. My ammonia is at 1ppm and nitrite at 1. Those numbers were higher a while ago. Diatoms are growing so I guess that’s a sign. When I first did my cycle with no fish, it took seven days. i’m on day 15 still at one part per million any ideas?
For fishes cycling - fish food works ok. Also cut shrimp or fish will stink and cloud the water. OR add a hardy fish or two and a whole bottle of One and Only.
You need to rewrite the direction on the use of One and Only to state something to this effect "add 1 drop per gallon, test ammonia after X hour, if ammonia is
Thank you for the feedback, we changed the instructions on the ammonia several years back and it should be reflected on the product instructions, as well as in our information on the website and our recipe cards.
Great info thanks!! I’m starting a new saltwater tank and I’m using your products to cycle, there was no guide included except instructions on the bottle. Where can I find the guides can I download them or can they be emailed? Thnx!
Do I need to add Dr. Tim's one and only to my system if I am upgrading to larger tank and moving over my 4 years established live rock, even if I am adding some man made Caribsea rock?
Hey, Dr. Tim, thanks for the guide! A couple questions: 1. Would using something like the ceramic biomedia bricks (the 8x8x4, for instance) slow down the cycle? I know it offers much higher surface area, but - given the bacteria would need to colonize the media and there would be much less water flow throughout the media - would the minimization of water exposed to the media be expected to result in a slower cycle? 2. I inadvertently added a ~60% dose (30 gallons) to a system with total water volume of 50 gallons. My ammonia dropped to zero within 72 hours, but my nitrites have been high for roughly six days now (API indicator shows dark purple and has not changed color period; API AquaSpin states 1.7 ppm). Would you recommend continuing to wait, adding a half, or adding a full dose of the One and Only with the 4 drops/gallon of ammonia? Thanks!
Been cycling my tank for 3.5 weeks. Ammonia is yellow (maybe trace ammonia). Nitrite is dark purple. Some nitrates present. Do i just wait it out? Or should i do a water change?
Hi Dr Tim, I tried cycling my 20 gallon tank (50 gallon Aquaclear HOB: Sponge, Carbon, Loads of aquaforest biomedia) but it refuses to process ammonia after 2 months. I started with stability but moved to this product after 3 weeks, I dosed per bottle recommendations but it still refuses to process ammonia. I have a clownfish, sand (not live) & live rock 12kg & some dry rock. I stayed away from water changing in the first 3 weeks to allow bacteria to develop. However as I was using tap water there seems to be a lot of brown / green sludge developing. I have since invested into your "Refresh" product and also a RO DI system to hopefully get over the diatom's and allow good bacteria to grow. Is there anything I am doing wrong or could do to speed up the process. Are more regular water changes recommended potentially? Ammonia: 0.5pm Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: 0 PH: 8.2-8.4 Water Temp: 25c-26c Your reply is highly appreciated. Regards, Lewis
I think your problem is carbon when you introduce bacteria to the tank you should never have carbon added as i think the carbon will kill the bacteria.
Hi i started a 110 gallon salt water aquarium I am cycling the tank with a zibra eel,lion fishTang and two puffer fish all doing fine just i have about 120 lbs of live sand on bottom some rock about 30 lbs also have a wet dry filter and 2 eheim canster filters with a skimmer my problem is that my nitrite and nitrate went all the way up but never droped to 0 after 5 weeks of cycling up. today i bought a bottle of your one and only live nitrifing bacteria 8 oz size put the whole bottle in. How long do you think it will take to see a 0 nitrire and nitrate thank you Bart Giacalone
Because of the large amount of live sand the contains organics that need to degrade into ammonia then nitrite and finally nitrate it could be a week or two until you stop seeing any nitrite.
Sooooo if you need the ammonia with the “one and only” why is it not included as a kit ? My local stores do not have the ammonia bottles. So how does one cycle a tank with zero instructions ? Bottle says dump it in and that’s it. Does NOT mention ammonia or testing or anything Kinda weird that’s stores carry half your product and there’s no info to be found
Hello Dr. Tim, This is my 5th day of cycling and I cant seem to get my ammonia level below 2ppm. My parameter are: Ammonia = 2ppm, Nitrite = 0 and Nitrate oddly enough is at 40 ppm. I used 4oz bottle of One and Only bacteria. Tank is 13.5 gallon using 10lbs of live sand and 12lbs of Real Reef Rock. Chamber 1 of filter is filter floss, Chemi-Pure and a bag of ceramic rings, Chamber 2 is a sponge block with a carbon bag and a small bag of bio-balls. Have not done any water change. Will time eventually get my ammonia level to where it needs to be ? Should I do a partial water change to bring down the ammonia level ? Thanks
I just added a bottle of the One and Only to my new tank. I wish i did my research before hand because I dont have Ammonium Chloride. Is it ok to start adding the Ammonium Chloride and start the daily instructions once received?
Hi Dr Tim for the one and only At 8 oz Sorry new to this product and to confirm if I done it correctly Do I have to pour whole bottle into a 120 gallon tank since bottle stated it's for up to 120 gallon tank I will be filtering with bare tank
What is the recommend procedure for adding more after the first cycle? Say a few months down the road and you have fish & coral now. You said in the video you can add more later on after water changes and such.. are we to run the system without a filter sock when we do this? Hope this helps others as well, thank you!
Anytime you add One and Only remove the filter sock for at least 24 hours. You can more One and Only anytime but a good idea after a big cleaning or any big changes to the system.
Hey Dr. Tim I just added your one and only with the ammonia chloride today. No filtration at all no filter socks, UV or skimmer. The only flow in the tank right now is coming from my return pump I don’t have a powerhead just yet . My AI Nero 3 powerhead comes this Wednesday. Will adding a pump and stronger flow disrupt the nitrifying bacteria/cycle at all ?
@@DrTimsAquatics i have sand and live rock shouldnt that be enough ? its day 3 right now... the last three days i tested my amonia tests were 8ppm, 6ppm, 4ppm and my nitrite 0.1 ppm, 0.2ppm, 0.3 ppm... i should just let the tank do its thing and not add anymore ammonia just yet until both are below 2 ppm?
Hi @DrTimsAquatics I used your bacteria to cycle a reef tank and left on the protein skimmer on accident I am weeks past the initial start what should I do?
Hi Dr Tim, I tried cycling with Seachem Stability and on day 3, I still haven't traced any sign of nitrite. I bought your One And Only product but unsure if I should change the whole water now or if I'm alright to just add your product regardless. I have only added 25 ml of Seachem Stability so far. Your response is highly appreciated. Edit: my tank is 125 litres, ammonia is at 2.0ppm, nitrite at 0.0ppm, nitrate at 0.0ppm, temperature at 83F and the pH is at 7.4.
Hey dr Tim. When adding the ammonia do I need to take all my filtration out of tank. I have a 30 gallon and I added 4 drops per gallon and tested for ammonia 24 hrs later and got a zero reading? Should I add more ammonia? And I also have live rock and sand.
Leave the filter material in the filter. Only remove the filter sock IF your systems has a filter sock. Not all systems do. Learn more here. www.drtimsaquatics.com/blog/filter-socks-remove-from-aquarium-when-cycling/
Hi Dr Tim, i have a question if you have time. I have used the one and only. I am on day 6 and my ammonia has sat steadily at 0.25ppm the whole time. I was hoping to see that drop back down by now. Everything else is where it should be other than PH which is about 8.0. I am using api tests from the master kit (salt water). Should i add more bacteria? Do a water change? Or just wait? And if the answer is to wait, my next question is, what do i do IF it does spike? I have 2 clownfish in a 180l tank with no skimmer, a filter sock (removed for 48 hrs after adding bacteria) and 20 bio balls. and in the main tank, a thin layer of crushed coral sand and about 6kg of dry rock. Sorry for the long question and i eagerly await a response. Thankyou from Australia. And thankyou for the videos and products :)
Hi there I am following your cycling directions. Day 1 I added 4 drops per gallon, day 3 I added the same amount and today being day 4 my ammonia is reading 6ppm there abouts. What do you sugggest I do? Water change to bring it down?
Do you have the guide? You don't add the ammonia IF the ammonia or nitrite is high. In any case, yes a partial water change would be good but do not disturb the substrate. www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/recipes/
@@DrTimsAquatics yes I have the guide but it said not to add if over 5ppm, which it wasn’t, but when I added in day 3s ammonia it sky rocketed. I have done a 50% water change keeping well far from the substrate. Do I need to add in another bottle of one and only? Or should there still be sufficient amount there to complete the cycling process without adding another bottle?
Dr Tim I added my one and only 48 hours ago and then I added the ammonium chloride. But then my ammonia spiked to 8 ppm should I pour in another bottle or is the bacteria working but it’ll take much longer ?
Hi Dr. Tim I have a cycled tank that will be empty for a couple days after my betta passed. How many drops of ammonia should I add to maintain an empty cycled tank? Thank you in advance
@@DrTimsAquatics thank you so much. Unfortunately it was dropsy. I think he may have been injured after swimming into my siphon while I was doing a water change
Working on this. But the company that did ship up there is located in the UK and now with Brexit everyone is trying to figure our the new procedures and the costs
So I have a 20 gallon with a regular hang on back filter and a crolia pump and led lights. I also have live sand and live rock in there. I then added the whole bottle with everything running. Let it sit for a day, then I got 2 osellaris clownfish. Everything seemed fine but the next day they both died. Any reason why?
Dr Tim, I am on day 12 of the fishless cycling process where I am using your ammonium chloride. I added your One and Only solution along with Bio Spira over the course of a few days. While using your ammonium chloride, I dosed it now a few times over the course of 12 days, according to the directions (4 drops per gallon), and my ammonia has been able to lower its levels, but my nitrites have been through the roof. It’s been around 4-5 days now that these levels are this high as I was expecting a gradual decline like the ammonia. Should I perform a water change in order to lower these levels. Since I dosed it to the recommended dosage, I am just wondering if I did something wrong or if I should wait it out and have patience
Hello Yes, a water change is fine but do not disturb the substrate. And yes, patience is needed. Also, FYI you are not suppose to continue adding ammonia when the nitrite is so high. That is why you are seemingly 'stuck'. Do not pay attention to anyone that tells you the ammonia bacteria have to be fed everyday. Bacteria are not human that don't need to be fed everyday.
I'm in the 7th day and the ammonia drop from 5.0 to 1.2, I added ammonia just 1 time. Should I add more ammonia or let cycle finish? Other parameters are up. I'm using live sand and live rock. Thank you.
How do we know when our cycle is finished? How many times a day do we put the one and only and ammonia ? Do we do water changes? Do we keep our filter on with the filter media? Thanks 🙏🏽
go to this link - there is a lot of information and you can download a step by step guide that should answer all your questions www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling/
I’m looking to cycle a freshwater tank. I watched your tutorial that you made a while back and bought the ammonia and one and only. Should I leave on my filter, heater, skimmer, and light?
I use Dr Tim's method and cycled my 120 gallons fishlees method, in 8 days, but I did a 50% water change to reduce the nitrates that was to high and look like a back the process and now a have .25 ppm of ammonia and nitrites too, I just drop some more bacteria my question is I still should wait a little time to add fish?
I've lost confidence in this approach and it's my first time using it. I've been in the hobby for over 20 years and decided to give this a try and forego the traditional cycling approach of feed the tank and wait two months. I dosed ammonia based on the instructions and on day 7, my ammonia was at 2.0. I dosed the recommended dosage and this sent my ammonia to 8.0 for 4 straight days and then it went to 2.0 (day 11) and today (day 14) finally tested at 0. My nitrites are above 5 and my Nitrates are at 160! This process seems to be so broken (IMO) and it's extremely frustrating because the website say one thing but then you have posts here and there and paper instructions that say another. What steps am I supposed to do with my current readings the way they are? Any help would be appreciated.
Sorry for the frustration but you are adding a fair amount of ammonia so you are going to have a lot of nitrate produced - that tells you the process is working. Not sure how your ammonia jumped to 8 - does you tank have live sand? Every tank step is different and the time table can be different - what we are consistent about is 1) fishless cycling is not faster than non-fish less cycling 2) try to not let the ammonia and nitrite get about 5 ppm - the dosing schedule is suggestion not an absolute, 3) live sand and other additives can increase the ammonia.
I start cycling a 54 gallon tank, only on the 2nd day, but when I added the one and only and ammonia, i realize 3 hours later that I did not remove the filter sock, I quickly did after that. Im sure some the bacteria are already trap in the sock. Should I add more nitrifying bacteria or should I keep going with the cycle as it is?
Hello i started my new 20 gal april 3. I set every thing up filter heater and substrate and live and fake plants. Then i used api stress zyme+. And left it alone to cycle. Can i still use dr tims one and only or should i just leave it to cycle
Yes they are available FRESH N MARINE PTE LTD MAIN: 81 Macpherson Lane #01-31 Singapore 360081 OPERATING HOURS: Mon - Sat 12noon - 7pm | Sun & PH 12noon - 6pm
Your product says you can add fish right away. I set up a 10g quarantine tank for 3 fish and added them right after adding the bottle of one and only. The past 3 days I have had 0.8ppm ammonia, I dont like having any ammonia in with with fish. I did add another large bottle of one and only a day ago and im still at 0.8ppm ammonia. Hopefully it starts to kick in within the next day becuase if not I'm jusy going to have to do a large water change to get rid of the ammonia.
@@DrTimsAquatics hi, sorry for late reply checked parameters yesterday ammonia was still 0.8 nitrite i think was 0.2 and nitrate 10ppm but not entirely sure I've read that one right, does this all sound about right after nearly one week? i plan to test again tomorrow.. this was using red sea reefer test kits..
They 'hibernate'. Think of bacteria like batteries. When there are plenty of resources they are fully charged. Once the resources are depleted the bacteria slowly losses energy but they do not die - they don't starve, they slowly go into a resting stage.
@@DrTimsAquatics I appreciate the fast response. I used the whole 4 ounce bottled and made sure to spread it out away from the drain. This is a 10g nano with a deep sand bed and dry rock.
Cant seem to lower my Nirates showing red color. I have a 125 gallon and I did water change 60 gallon, 25 gallons, 25 gallons, 20 gallons and the color hasn't change. I have 2 canister filters and sand substrate . and no ammonia or nitrite. These readings been this way for a month after it went through the cycling process.
@the goat Because adding a lot of ammonia (the drops) to establish the bacteria generally causes the pH to drop and alkalinity (the buffering of the water) to be consumed, plus can put a lot of nitrate into the water. Change some water (but do not disturb the substrate) fixes this. Yes the bacteria live on the wall, the filters, all surfaces.
Hi Dr tim So I just buy the one and only for fresh water aquarium with the ammonia chloride Can confirm with you Once I added water in my new tank I on my filter running water for 1 day with anti chlorine Then I add the one and only into the tank Do I need to off my filter or still keep the filter running then add the ammonia chloride after 24 hours Hope to hear from you soon
43 days cycling and 3 bottles one and only with dr. tims ammonia. Nitrites are still between 0.5 and 0.7 and it takes 8 days to bring ammonia from 0.25 ppm to zero. How long do I have to wait? your product does not work !
There has to be something else going on in your system - after 43 days the tank should cycle without having added bacteria - sorry for the late reply. This just showed up.
This is a long time about but if the ocean rock is LIVE rock you do not need to add his one and only because the rock already have the population of bacteria you need. Unless it is dried up on you when it gets to you. I personally went with dry rock it allowed me to make a really cool NSA scape and no pests to worry about !!
@@DrTimsAquatics I have gravel, with 2 silk plants, a Top Fin Silenstream 10 power filter. It's a 5.5 gal freshwater tank. I added the One & Only and the ammonia.
Hello Dr Tim, I am in my sixth week of fishless cycling and starting to give up on holding a fish tank in general. I have a new 75 gallon tank, below are the results: Day 1: Put the one and only ammonium chloride and BB. Day 2: Ammonia-4ppm, Nitrite-0ppm, Nitrate-0ppm Day 3 - 6: Cloudy white by Day 3, but then cleared by Day 6 Day 7 till end of week 6 (now): Ammonia-1ppm, Nitrate-0ppm, Nitrate-2-3ppm (noticeable orange tinge) Major concerns: water is very clear, with very slight green tinge in water (not on surface) only noticeable from the side since Day 7. There was never nitrites in the tank; instead skipped to nitrate, and ammonia won't go down since Day 7. Please, please help. PS: sent you an email as well. Thanks!
For me ALL very dark ammonia. Stopped dropping ammonium. Above 4ppm. It's now stuck to very dark green. Don't see a hint of NITRITE. This is my 9th day. Help please. TX.
@@DrTimsAquatics I've been getting the same reading of about two ppm for the last three days. I've followed the instructions and only have added ammonia once but still have got the same reading. Do you have any solution to this?
Can you overdose this? I have a 10 gallon and I’m going to get the bottle that can cover 30 gallons do I put the whole thing in or just the measurements that measure 10 gallon
Angel Mares Did you end up seeing any results? Im beginning to thing this is a waste of money. Ive dosed 2 cycles of Bacteria in a week and ammonia and numbers have not budged. Gimmick
@@angelmares8601 How did the ammonia get to 8 and the nitrite at 5? We clearly state that you do not want ammonia or nitrite to get above 2 and if they get near 5 or higher do a water change. Your cycle has stalled because the values are too high.
@@CreativeCutsMedia22 The product is not a gimmick but it also has a range of parameters it works within (as do most all living things). If your ammonia or nitrite are high (above 5 for sure) the cycle will stall. What are your water conditions and your filter?
I'm using DrTim products and really happy with the results
I feel like Dr Tim would be awesome to have a Beer with! Lol
who's buying 😁
I always wondered how people set up a quicks quaratine if It takes a little while to cycle! Also I am adding your product tonight. How soon after cycling ends can I turn lights on and add zoas to a frag tank? I also only have rubble and bio balls. Are you saying it will take a lot longer because I dont have sand? I just thought of something. You said bacteria need something to adhere so should I add my frag racks first? I don t have them yet but can pick up soon and will that hurt the cycle if I add them later after cycling?
Good afternoon Dr Tim. I plan on dosing one and only to a newly set up nano tank. Your instructions say to remove the filter socks but keep the filter floss and biomedia in the filter while running. Will the filter floss trap the bacteria as well? Also, should I turn off the pump while dosing to allow the bacteria to settle on the substrate or can I leave it running?
quesrion about the ammonium chloride, does it expires? i ordered two when i first set up my tank. then i have to quit because i need to migrate. now im back (after 4 yrs)and want to set up a tank again. can i still use the other ammonium chloride i have?
It does not expire
Hello again, @DrTimsaquatics,
Is it possible to perform a water change on my 20 gal? It is day 9 on my aquarium cycle and my parameters are: pH 7.4, Ammonia 0 ppm, Nitrite 2.0 ppm, and Nitrate 160 ppm. So far the product is working. But, I’d like to see if I can address the problem. There hasn’t been any changes to the water chemistry for a few days. Thank you for reading this message, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Javan.
Yes just try not to disturb or remove and substrate
Hi Dr. Tim! I have 0.5 ammonia in my fish tank. Can I add this product to my fish tank with fish on it?
Hello,
I have a question about the fishless cycle.
I have a 10 galoon aquarium but filled with only 7.5 galoon of water (after substraction of the gravel volume).
I have added 7.5ml exactly of the one and only bacteria and 30 drops of the ammonium chloride.
It is now day 2 and the ammonia is at about 2ppm but no sign of nitrites.
Should I add the rest of the one and only Bacteria bottle or just wait?
Thanks in advance,
Ido.
add the rest of the bottle of One and Only
Hello @DrTimsaquatics,
I have a question about your product. Is it normal for my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate spiking up at the same time? It does feel quite worriesome for me right now. According to your video, you mentioned that the all in one contains ammonia and nitrite oxidizers correct? So, are these oxidizers causing these spikes to occur?
I have a 20 gal reef aquarium, with clip-on LED lights, 20 gal filter, heater, 20 lb real reef rock, silver heater, powerhead, and live sand. Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.
Javan
In your case yes. The live sand is adding ammonia to the water as the organics in the live sand decay - so that is the ammonia spike. The bacteria converting ammonia to nitrite are causing the nitrite spike. As for the nitrate spike - the way the nitrate test work is that it first convert nitrate to nitrite and then measures nitrite. So in fact it measures BOTH nitrate and nitrite. Since you nitrite is spiking due to the bacteria you would expect the nitrate to spike since the nitrate kit measures nitrite also. So just stop measuring nitrate when your nitrite is spiking - don't worry about nitrate at this point.
@ Dr.Timsaquatics,
Thank you for your information, Dr. Tim. So this means my aquarium is cycling correctly. Perhaps I shall continue testing.
Would you also recommend leaving out *all* mechanical filtration while cycling with this bacteria? That way the only thing they can get stuck to is the substrate, rock, and biological filter media?
I just bought my first bottle today, here in AUSTRALIA in 2023, to deal with an urgent ammonia problem.There is NO USE BY DATE or manufacturing date on the bottle anywhere. There is a 'batch number' where Dr.Tim said there should be a n expiry date. The batch number means nothing to me. What's going on Dr.Tim? How do I know from this meaningless batch number if my new bottle is still 'IN date'? Please advise good doctor 🙂 . . . further, is this a single dose regime or do I apply that same dose for the first 7 days or something like that
My aquarium didn’t go cloudy. Has this still worked for me?
Should i remove sponges also?
I have a 20H freshwater tank. No fish. I tried everything to get the ammonia down. Nitrates are at 0 and ph is 7.5. Ammonia when I tested ranged from 6.0-8.0. I have done 2 50% water changes in a week I had the tank filled. I have live plants and rock decorations. I use Prime and stress coat +. But still no luck. Will your product work.
Hi Dr. tim,
I am currently cycling a tank that has about 2 ppm of ammonia, no nitrites and no nitrates. I just purchased your ammonium chloride and your Freshwater One and Only. Should I just add the one and only right now, or should I use a tiny bit of the ammonium chloride to raise the levels? Also, what water temperature is optimal for the freshwater One and Only bacteria? Thanks!
This is a four year old video. I highly doubt their team is looking back through UA-cam comments to answer questions. You are better off emailing them at the email Dr. Tim mentioned in the last moments of the video. Cheers!
What if high levels of all three are showing at the same time?
Do a partial water change
Does it tell u on the bottle how much bacteria to put in
Hello Dr. Tim, first time salt water hobbyist, using a 20g IM tank with live sand and following your guide for cycling. On day 6, readings are Ammonia: 0, Nitrite 2, and Nitrate 50-70. Do I add ammonium chloride or wait another few days? Thanks and happy new year to you!
Happy New Year - add 1/2 dose of ammonia.
@@DrTimsAquatics thank you for the quick response!
@@DrTimsAquatics on day 10 Dr. Tim, added Ammonium Chloride on the 3rd, measurements today: Ammonia 0, nitrite 4, Nitrate 40. Should I wait a few more days, add half dose of ammonium chloride, or do water change? I watched your speech on the updated cycle @ MACNA 2019 and using that as a guide. Thanks!
Hi Dr Tim,. 14 day and 0 ammonia, 2 nitrites, 100 nitratee after 40% water change. 1.23 salinity, 7.9 ph amd alkalinity is 10.9. What do you recommended the mext steps? Or what ks happening? thank you.
Looks like your table is cycle
Good evening @Drtimsaquatics,
After our last talk, I’ve managed to bring my pH back to 8.2. However, my nitrite and nitrate levels are still the same. I was curious if dosing ammonia again would help rid of the nitrite and nitrate issue? Would it also hinder the cycle?
Thank you for reading this message. I hope to hear from you soon.
Javan.
If the ammonia is too high the process will stall. Are you using live sand?
@Drtimsaquatics,
Yes. But I haven’t dose ammonia just yet. I’ve held off my action until I could hear advice from you. Right now, it is day 15 of my aquarium being up.
Hi,
My tank was cycled a while ago but made the mistake off adding a lot more fish. Everything spiked. All died. I added more bacteria bug at same time wqs using prime Beacuse I had one surviving fish. I had stop dosing prime for a while. My ammonia is at 1ppm and nitrite at 1. Those numbers were higher a while ago. Diatoms are growing so I guess that’s a sign. When I first did my cycle with no fish, it took seven days. i’m on day 15 still at one part per million any ideas?
I don't have ammonium chloride. What would you recommend in its place to introduce ammonium? I have a bottle of your one and only. Thanks!
For fishes cycling - fish food works ok. Also cut shrimp or fish will stink and cloud the water. OR add a hardy fish or two and a whole bottle of One and Only.
You need to rewrite the direction on the use of One and Only to state something to this effect "add 1 drop per gallon, test ammonia after X hour, if ammonia is
Thank you for the feedback, we changed the instructions on the ammonia several years back and it should be reflected on the product instructions, as well as in our information on the website and our recipe cards.
Great info thanks!! I’m starting a new saltwater tank and I’m using your products to cycle, there was no guide included except instructions on the bottle. Where can I find the guides can I download them or can they be emailed? Thnx!
You can download the guide here. www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/recipes/
Do I need to add Dr. Tim's one and only to my system if I am upgrading to larger tank and moving over my 4 years established live rock, even if I am adding some man made Caribsea rock?
Probably.
Hey, Dr. Tim, thanks for the guide! A couple questions:
1. Would using something like the ceramic biomedia bricks (the 8x8x4, for instance) slow down the cycle? I know it offers much higher surface area, but - given the bacteria would need to colonize the media and there would be much less water flow throughout the media - would the minimization of water exposed to the media be expected to result in a slower cycle?
2. I inadvertently added a ~60% dose (30 gallons) to a system with total water volume of 50 gallons. My ammonia dropped to zero within 72 hours, but my nitrites have been high for roughly six days now (API indicator shows dark purple and has not changed color period; API AquaSpin states 1.7 ppm). Would you recommend continuing to wait, adding a half, or adding a full dose of the One and Only with the 4 drops/gallon of ammonia?
Thanks!
Been cycling my tank for 3.5 weeks. Ammonia is yellow (maybe trace ammonia). Nitrite is dark purple. Some nitrates present. Do i just wait it out? Or should i do a water change?
Do a partial water change but do not disturb the substrate.
@@DrTimsAquatics thanks
Hi Dr Tim,
I tried cycling my 20 gallon tank (50 gallon Aquaclear HOB: Sponge, Carbon, Loads of aquaforest biomedia) but it refuses to process ammonia after 2 months. I started with stability but moved to this product after 3 weeks, I dosed per bottle recommendations but it still refuses to process ammonia.
I have a clownfish, sand (not live) & live rock 12kg & some dry rock. I stayed away from water changing in the first 3 weeks to allow bacteria to develop. However as I was using tap water there seems to be a lot of brown / green sludge developing. I have since invested into your "Refresh" product and also a RO DI system to hopefully get over the diatom's and allow good bacteria to grow.
Is there anything I am doing wrong or could do to speed up the process. Are more regular water changes recommended potentially?
Ammonia: 0.5pm
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
PH: 8.2-8.4
Water Temp: 25c-26c
Your reply is highly appreciated.
Regards,
Lewis
I think your problem is carbon when you introduce bacteria to the tank you should never have carbon added as i think the carbon will kill the bacteria.
When cycling a tank, does it matter if u don't put lights on please??
Paul Deacon No. bacteria don’t care about light. Temperature matters, like 78 F
Hi i started a 110 gallon salt water aquarium I am cycling the tank with a zibra eel,lion fishTang and two puffer fish all doing fine just i have about 120 lbs of live sand on bottom some rock about 30 lbs
also have a wet dry filter and 2 eheim canster filters with a skimmer my problem is that my nitrite and nitrate went all the way up but never droped to 0 after 5 weeks of cycling up. today i bought a bottle of your one and only live nitrifing bacteria 8 oz size put the whole bottle in. How long do you think it will take to see a 0 nitrire and nitrate
thank you
Bart Giacalone
Because of the large amount of live sand the contains organics that need to degrade into ammonia then nitrite and finally nitrate it could be a week or two until you stop seeing any nitrite.
Sooooo if you need the ammonia with the “one and only” why is it not included as a kit ? My local stores do not have the ammonia bottles. So how does one cycle a tank with zero instructions ? Bottle says dump it in and that’s it. Does NOT mention ammonia or testing or anything
Kinda weird that’s stores carry half your product and there’s no info to be found
There are a ways to cycle - not all cycling is done fishless so pairing the ammonia to each bottle is an added expense may do not want.
Hello Dr. Tim, This is my 5th day of cycling and I cant seem to get my ammonia level below 2ppm. My parameter are: Ammonia = 2ppm, Nitrite = 0 and Nitrate oddly enough is at 40 ppm. I used 4oz bottle of One and Only bacteria. Tank is 13.5 gallon using 10lbs of live sand and 12lbs of Real Reef Rock. Chamber 1 of filter is filter floss, Chemi-Pure and a bag of ceramic rings, Chamber 2 is a sponge block with a carbon bag and a small bag of bio-balls. Have not done any water change.
Will time eventually get my ammonia level to where it needs to be ?
Should I do a partial water change to bring down the ammonia level ?
Thanks
Live sand add ammonia to the water. How is the system now?
I just added a bottle of the One and Only to my new tank. I wish i did my research before hand because I dont have Ammonium Chloride. Is it ok to start adding the Ammonium Chloride and start the daily instructions once received?
yes the bacteria should be fine
Hi Dr Tim for the one and only
At 8 oz
Sorry new to this product and to confirm if I done it correctly
Do I have to pour whole bottle into a 120 gallon tank since bottle stated it's for up to 120 gallon tank
I will be filtering with bare tank
Yes, pour the whole bottle in. Filtering with a bare tank will take longer because there is not enough surface for the bacteria.
What is the recommend procedure for adding more after the first cycle? Say a few months down the road and you have fish & coral now. You said in the video you can add more later on after water changes and such.. are we to run the system without a filter sock when we do this? Hope this helps others as well, thank you!
Tagging along
Anytime you add One and Only remove the filter sock for at least 24 hours. You can more One and Only anytime but a good idea after a big cleaning or any big changes to the system.
Hey Dr. Tim I just added your one and only with the ammonia chloride today. No filtration at all no filter socks, UV or skimmer. The only flow in the tank right now is coming from my return pump I don’t have a powerhead just yet . My AI Nero 3 powerhead comes this Wednesday. Will adding a pump and stronger flow disrupt the nitrifying bacteria/cycle at all ?
You seem to have no place for the bacteria to attach. They need surface area.
@@DrTimsAquatics i have sand and live rock shouldnt that be enough ? its day 3 right now... the last three days i tested my amonia tests were 8ppm, 6ppm, 4ppm and my nitrite 0.1 ppm, 0.2ppm, 0.3 ppm... i should just let the tank do its thing and not add anymore ammonia just yet until both are below 2 ppm?
Once cycled using this bacteria is it best to slowly add fish or can the tank be fully stocked?
It depends on the number and size of the fish but generally safe to add a fair amount of fish
Hi @DrTimsAquatics I used your bacteria to cycle a reef tank and left on the protein skimmer on accident I am weeks past the initial start what should I do?
Probably best to wait and see if the cycle starts. If not you'll need to add more bacteria.
Hi Dr Tim,
I tried cycling with Seachem Stability and on day 3, I still haven't traced any sign of nitrite. I bought your One And Only product but unsure if I should change the whole water now or if I'm alright to just add your product regardless. I have only added 25 ml of Seachem Stability so far.
Your response is highly appreciated.
Edit: my tank is 125 litres, ammonia is at 2.0ppm, nitrite at 0.0ppm, nitrate at 0.0ppm, temperature at 83F and the pH is at 7.4.
you do not have to change the water. Add the entire bottle of One and Only and do not add any more Stability or other products.
@@DrTimsAquatics Many many thanks for your reply! Really appreciate it.
Hey dr Tim. When adding the ammonia do I need to take all my filtration out of tank. I have a 30 gallon and I added 4 drops per gallon and tested for ammonia 24 hrs later and got a zero reading? Should I add more ammonia? And I also have live rock and sand.
By the way I didn’t add any of the bacteria yet I wanted to get a reading on ammonia first
Leave the filter material in the filter. Only remove the filter sock IF your systems has a filter sock. Not all systems do. Learn more here.
www.drtimsaquatics.com/blog/filter-socks-remove-from-aquarium-when-cycling/
Hi - Would I have to remove my Chemi Pure Blue and biological media from the tank before adding the one and only? Thanks!
Leave the Chemi-pure out for the first week or two. Keep the biological media in.
Hi Dr Tim, i have a question if you have time. I have used the one and only. I am on day 6 and my ammonia has sat steadily at 0.25ppm the whole time. I was hoping to see that drop back down by now. Everything else is where it should be other than PH which is about 8.0. I am using api tests from the master kit (salt water). Should i add more bacteria? Do a water change? Or just wait? And if the answer is to wait, my next question is, what do i do IF it does spike? I have 2 clownfish in a 180l tank with no skimmer, a filter sock (removed for 48 hrs after adding bacteria) and 20 bio balls. and in the main tank, a thin layer of crushed coral sand and about 6kg of dry rock. Sorry for the long question and i eagerly await a response. Thankyou from Australia. And thankyou for the videos and products :)
Do a small water change, do not disturb the substrate, and add more bacteria and be patient.
@@DrTimsAquatics thankyou. More bacteria as in, an entire dose again? And a 20% water change? Or more? Thanks for your quick reply.
Hi there
I am following your cycling directions. Day 1 I added 4 drops per gallon, day 3 I added the same amount and today being day 4 my ammonia is reading 6ppm there abouts. What do you sugggest I do? Water change to bring it down?
Do you have the guide? You don't add the ammonia IF the ammonia or nitrite is high. In any case, yes a partial water change would be good but do not disturb the substrate. www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/recipes/
@@DrTimsAquatics yes I have the guide but it said not to add if over 5ppm, which it wasn’t, but when I added in day 3s ammonia it sky rocketed.
I have done a 50% water change keeping well far from the substrate.
Do I need to add in another bottle of one and only? Or should there still be sufficient amount there to complete the cycling process without adding another bottle?
Hi Dr. Tim, when do you know your tank is done cycling because I used this product and it works really good but I don't know when it is done cycling.
We recommend 3 additions of ammonium chloride one 10 to 12 days. Once the ammonia and nitrite are gdone the tank is cycled.
@@DrTimsAquatics thank you
Dr Tim I added my one and only 48 hours ago and then I added the ammonium chloride. But then my ammonia spiked to 8 ppm should I pour in another bottle or is the bacteria working but it’ll take much longer ?
do a water change but do not disturb the substrate. this should help speed up the process
Hi Dr. Tim I have a cycled tank that will be empty for a couple days after my betta passed. How many drops of ammonia should I add to maintain an empty cycled tank? Thank you in advance
I will be adding another fish very soon but I don’t want the bacteria to starve off
Sorry to read about your Betta. 1 drop of ammonia every 2-3 days is plenty for a tank with a single Betta.
@@DrTimsAquatics thank you so much. Unfortunately it was dropsy. I think he may have been injured after swimming into my siphon while I was doing a water change
Hi Dr time . Why its so difficult to find your product in Norway? :(
Working on this. But the company that did ship up there is located in the UK and now with Brexit everyone is trying to figure our the new procedures and the costs
So I have a 20 gallon with a regular hang on back filter and a crolia pump and led lights. I also have live sand and live rock in there. I then added the whole bottle with everything running. Let it sit for a day, then I got 2 osellaris clownfish. Everything seemed fine but the next day they both died. Any reason why?
There are so many possible reasons - clownfish were maybe very small and stressed from the shipment and travel from the hatchery to your tank.?
Dr Tim, I am on day 12 of the fishless cycling process where I am using your ammonium chloride. I added your One and Only solution along with Bio Spira over the course of a few days. While using your ammonium chloride, I dosed it now a few times over the course of 12 days, according to the directions (4 drops per gallon), and my ammonia has been able to lower its levels, but my nitrites have been through the roof. It’s been around 4-5 days now that these levels are this high as I was expecting a gradual decline like the ammonia. Should I perform a water change in order to lower these levels. Since I dosed it to the recommended dosage, I am just wondering if I did something wrong or if I should wait it out and have patience
Hello
Yes, a water change is fine but do not disturb the substrate.
And yes, patience is needed.
Also, FYI you are not suppose to continue adding ammonia when the nitrite is so high. That is why you are seemingly 'stuck'. Do not pay attention to anyone that tells you the ammonia bacteria have to be fed everyday. Bacteria are not human that don't need to be fed everyday.
DrTimsAquatics Thank you!
I'm in the 7th day and the ammonia drop from 5.0 to 1.2, I added ammonia just 1 time. Should I add more ammonia or let cycle finish? Other parameters are up. I'm using live sand and live rock. Thank you.
We recommend adding ammonia 3 time. Do not add ammonia if ammonia or nitrite is above 2 ppm
How do we know when our cycle is finished? How many times a day do we put the one and only and ammonia ? Do we do water changes? Do we keep our filter on with the filter media? Thanks 🙏🏽
go to this link - there is a lot of information and you can download a step by step guide that should answer all your questions www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling/
I’m looking to cycle a freshwater tank. I watched your tutorial that you made a while back and bought the ammonia and one and only. Should I leave on my filter, heater, skimmer, and light?
run the filter with pad/sponge 24/7
run the lights 8 hours on, 16 hours off
turn the skimmer off for 48 hours
DrTimsAquatics Would I be able to put plants and decor in the tank while cycling? I know I need substrate.
I use Dr Tim's method and cycled my 120 gallons fishlees method, in 8 days, but I did a 50% water change to reduce the nitrates that was to high and look like a back the process and now a have .25 ppm of ammonia and nitrites too, I just drop some more bacteria my question is I still should wait a little time to add fish?
We normally recommend adding ammonia and letting the ammonia and nitrite drop 3 times before adding fish.
So after 48 hours I should put my filter sock back ? Also my ammonia is at 1.5ppm 3rd day in a row. I now add more ammonium chloride ?
Yes put the filter sock back in. Don't add ammonia until the ammonia value is less than 1.0
@@DrTimsAquatics thank you
I've lost confidence in this approach and it's my first time using it. I've been in the hobby for over 20 years and decided to give this a try and forego the traditional cycling approach of feed the tank and wait two months.
I dosed ammonia based on the instructions and on day 7, my ammonia was at 2.0. I dosed the recommended dosage and this sent my ammonia to 8.0 for 4 straight days and then it went to 2.0 (day 11) and today (day 14) finally tested at 0. My nitrites are above 5 and my Nitrates are at 160! This process seems to be so broken (IMO) and it's extremely frustrating because the website say one thing but then you have posts here and there and paper instructions that say another.
What steps am I supposed to do with my current readings the way they are? Any help would be appreciated.
Sorry for the frustration but you are adding a fair amount of ammonia so you are going to have a lot of nitrate produced - that tells you the process is working. Not sure how your ammonia jumped to 8 - does you tank have live sand? Every tank step is different and the time table can be different - what we are consistent about is 1) fishless cycling is not faster than non-fish less cycling 2) try to not let the ammonia and nitrite get about 5 ppm - the dosing schedule is suggestion not an absolute, 3) live sand and other additives can increase the ammonia.
I start cycling a 54 gallon tank, only on the 2nd day, but when I added the one and only and ammonia, i realize 3 hours later that I did not remove the filter sock, I quickly did after that. Im sure some the bacteria are already trap in the sock. Should I add more nitrifying bacteria or should I keep going with the cycle as it is?
Let the water quality guide you. If there is evaluated ammonia then chances are you filtered out the bacteria and need to add some more.
Hello i started my new 20 gal april 3. I set every thing up filter heater and substrate and live and fake plants. Then i used api stress zyme+. And left it alone to cycle. Can i still use dr tims one and only or should i just leave it to cycle
You can still add One & Only which is sloped up the cycling process
@@DrTimsAquatics Thank you. So no ammonia is needed?
Is your product sold in Singapore
I am quite keen to try on my new tank
Yes they are available
FRESH N MARINE PTE LTD
MAIN: 81 Macpherson Lane #01-31 Singapore 360081
OPERATING HOURS: Mon - Sat 12noon - 7pm | Sun & PH 12noon - 6pm
Should I use anti stress coat+ by API before starting the cycle?
If that is the only solution you have to remove chlorine and chloramines yes. Otherwise no.
@@DrTimsAquatics what other ones do you recommend?
Your product says you can add fish right away. I set up a 10g quarantine tank for 3 fish and added them right after adding the bottle of one and only. The past 3 days I have had 0.8ppm ammonia, I dont like having any ammonia in with with fish. I did add another large bottle of one and only a day ago and im still at 0.8ppm ammonia. Hopefully it starts to kick in within the next day becuase if not I'm jusy going to have to do a large water change to get rid of the ammonia.
Hi my Ammonia is showing 0.8 after 24 hours is this normal? my tank only went cloudy for a couple of hours..
yes if you dosed the recommended amount over half the ammonia has been processed. What is the nitrite?
@@DrTimsAquatics hi, sorry for late reply checked parameters yesterday ammonia was still 0.8 nitrite i think was 0.2 and nitrate 10ppm but not entirely sure I've read that one right, does this all sound about right after nearly one week? i plan to test again tomorrow.. this was using red sea reefer test kits..
If you take all the fish out of an aquarium and it sits for a while, will the bacteria die off or hibernate?
They 'hibernate'. Think of bacteria like batteries. When there are plenty of resources they are fully charged. Once the resources are depleted the bacteria slowly losses energy but they do not die - they don't starve, they slowly go into a resting stage.
When using the bacteria to start a new tank if I have a hob filter can I leave it on ?
yes leave it on
I screwed up and left my filter sock in the tank when adding this. Am I screwed or should it be ok?
Only time will tell. Mostly like some bacteria got into the substrate and rock work unless you pour it in high next to drain to the filter sock.
@@DrTimsAquatics I appreciate the fast response. I used the whole 4 ounce bottled and made sure to spread it out away from the drain. This is a 10g nano with a deep sand bed and dry rock.
@@DrTimsAquatics need help i add by mistake dr Tim's and only freshwater in to saltwater
Dr. you didn't mention NITRATE. So what about NITRATES?
What do you what to know about nitrates? They are the end product of the process and can be dealt with a number of ways.
Cant seem to lower my Nirates showing red color. I have a 125 gallon and I did water change 60 gallon, 25 gallons, 25 gallons, 20 gallons and the color hasn't change. I have 2 canister filters and sand substrate . and no ammonia or nitrite. These readings been this way for a month after it went through the cycling process.
@the goat You add fish!
@the goat Because adding a lot of ammonia (the drops) to establish the bacteria generally causes the pH to drop and alkalinity (the buffering of the water) to be consumed, plus can put a lot of nitrate into the water. Change some water (but do not disturb the substrate) fixes this. Yes the bacteria live on the wall, the filters, all surfaces.
I wanted to put tile in the bottom of my tank, will that work? Also do i turn off the filter when i pour in your product?
tile is ok, Do not turn the filter off
@@DrTimsAquatics Thanks Dr Tim. I wasn't sure if your product would have anything to cling to.
Do I add ammonia every day or just once?
please download the step by step guide. Here www.drtimsaquatics.com/information-center/recipes
If i have a 8 gallon and 3.5 gallon, could I split the bottle into two to cycle both?
Yes shake well before splitting
Hi i have a HOB filter do I need to remove the foam filter and carbon filter
No, leave them in
Hi Dr tim
So I just buy the one and only for fresh water aquarium with the ammonia chloride
Can confirm with you
Once I added water in my new tank
I on my filter running water for 1 day with anti chlorine
Then I add the one and only into the tank
Do I need to off my filter or still keep the filter running then add the ammonia chloride after 24 hours
Hope to hear from you soon
you can add the One and Only a few hours after adding the anti chlorine. Keep the filter running.
Thanks for reply
43 days cycling and 3 bottles one and only with dr. tims ammonia. Nitrites are still between 0.5 and 0.7 and it takes 8 days to bring ammonia from 0.25 ppm to zero. How long do I have to wait? your product does not work !
It should of just taken 1 week but it doesn't work for me either.
There has to be something else going on in your system - after 43 days the tank should cycle without having added bacteria - sorry for the late reply. This just showed up.
PLEASE HELP!! WHEN CAN I USE PRIME?? DO I USE IT AFTER THE CYCLE IS COMPLETE AND AFTER I DO WEEKLY WATER CHANGES ?? THANKS DR TIM 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Do not use Prime to control ammonia - use the bacteria. Use Prime to remove chlorine and chloramines. The One & Only for cycling not after cycling.
@@DrTimsAquatics so do I use it after the weekly water changes after the cycle is complete
I ordered your product and was wondering if I remove the fliter sponge on my fluval evo 13.5 for the first 48 hours
no leave it in
@@DrTimsAquatics awesome thanks for telling me a month later, I had already figured it out.
Dr Curtis lmao
Hi Dr.Tim! does it matter if u use ocean rock please??
This is a long time about but if the ocean rock is LIVE rock you do not need to add his one and only because the rock already have the population of bacteria you need. Unless it is dried up on you when it gets to you. I personally went with dry rock it allowed me to make a really cool NSA scape and no pests to worry about !!
Does that mean I half to turn off my hang on the back filter for 48 hours?
No. We never said that - the UV and the skimmer and the filter sock
Dr Tim how cold can the bacteria get before they are not viable
They go down to just above freezing - if they freeze solid they are done.
Thank you sir! This is my fist time using your product we shall see I hear amazing things
It's been a week since I added the Dr Tim's one and only and ammonia. My ammonia is 2 and I haven't had any nitrite or nitrate reading. Help!
Are you using 'live' sand? What is your filter? What else have you added to the tank?
@@DrTimsAquatics I have gravel, with 2 silk plants, a Top Fin Silenstream 10 power filter. It's a 5.5 gal freshwater tank. I added the One & Only and the ammonia.
What is your water source?
I used tap water.
??????
Can someone tell us what correct colors are on the charts
what charts do you mean?
Hello Dr Tim,
I am in my sixth week of fishless cycling and starting to give up on holding a fish tank in general.
I have a new 75 gallon tank, below are the results:
Day 1: Put the one and only ammonium chloride and BB.
Day 2: Ammonia-4ppm, Nitrite-0ppm, Nitrate-0ppm
Day 3 - 6: Cloudy white by Day 3, but then cleared by Day 6
Day 7 till end of week 6 (now): Ammonia-1ppm, Nitrate-0ppm, Nitrate-2-3ppm (noticeable orange tinge)
Major concerns: water is very clear, with very slight green tinge in water (not on surface) only noticeable from the side since Day 7. There was never nitrites in the tank; instead skipped to nitrate, and ammonia won't go down since Day 7.
Please, please help.
PS: sent you an email as well. Thanks!
answered via email - much easier
Thank you!
I sent another email yesterday. Can you please review?
Thanks again!
For me ALL very dark ammonia. Stopped dropping ammonium. Above 4ppm. It's now stuck to very dark green. Don't see a hint of NITRITE. This is my 9th day. Help please. TX.
can you use one and only for saltwater tanks in freshwater tanks?????
The saltwater or reef version can be used in Freshwater. Vice verse does not work so well.
@@DrTimsAquatics Thank you. Love all your products
How much live bacteria do I put in a 55 gallon tank
You would put in the whole bottle. You can't overdose the tank in anyway with the bacteria. Hope this wasn't too late.
You need 4 ounces
HI, do I need to turn my filter on for the 24 hours that it takes for the water to clear up?
Yes you need to turn your filter on and leave it on.
Do I add the ammonia on the day I add the bacteria
yes, add them both the same day
@@DrTimsAquatics I've been getting the same reading of about two ppm for the last three days. I've followed the instructions and only have added ammonia once but still have got the same reading. Do you have any solution to this?
@@imtherandom1-780 Did you use live sand?
@@DrTimsAquatics no I used dry sand for the aquarium.
@@DrTimsAquatics Hi Dr. Tim, how long does it take to see the results of ammonia dropping to zero?
Can you overdose this? I have a 10 gallon and I’m going to get the bottle that can cover 30 gallons do I put the whole thing in or just the measurements that measure 10 gallon
No - you cannot overdose One and Only Live Nitrifying bacteria.
@@DrTimsAquatics thanks, also when we cycle the tank can we add our water conditioner , and live plants?
@@maryfernandez628 Yes, you need to use a dechlorinator but not Prime. We recommend cycling first then adding live plants
@@DrTimsAquatics when can I use the prime
@@DrTimsAquatics can I also use seechem flourish after the cycle ?
My nitrites have been above 5 ppm for the past few days and they’re not coming down at all :(
Do not add more ammonia until the nitrite drops. Are you using live sand?
How much of bottle should I pour in for 120 gal
you need an 8 ounce bottle
DrTimsAquatics and the ammonia how many drops
Nothing has change for me after 2 days should I keep waiting longer???
Yes it can take 3 to 5 days sometimes to see results
@@DrTimsAquatics 1 week now and ammonia still at 8.0ppm and nitrite still at 5.0ppm
Angel Mares Did you end up seeing any results? Im beginning to thing this is a waste of money. Ive dosed 2 cycles of Bacteria in a week and ammonia and numbers have not budged. Gimmick
@@angelmares8601 How did the ammonia get to 8 and the nitrite at 5? We clearly state that you do not want ammonia or nitrite to get above 2 and if they get near 5 or higher do a water change. Your cycle has stalled because the values are too high.
@@CreativeCutsMedia22 The product is not a gimmick but it also has a range of parameters it works within (as do most all living things). If your ammonia or nitrite are high (above 5 for sure) the cycle will stall. What are your water conditions and your filter?
Anyway can mail me the guides
guides were emailed
This video is brought to you by PBS in 1987
Classics never go out of style.
Dr.Tim seems to be trying so hard not to go into a lengthy chemistry lecture the whole time!
I want the lecture