Aquarium Cycle Using Dr. Tims - Help

I attached the directions for the first few days of using Dr. Tim's bacteria and ammonia as well as my test for ammonia (nitrites are 0 ppm).

I am on day 2 of the process.

QUESTIONS:

1) Does the ammonia look like 1 ppm or 2 ppm to you?

2) If it is 2 ppm, do I dose with ammonia tomorrow or not? If not, do I not dose again until day 6? Or just whenever I measure it and it is below 2 ppm, add more ammonia immediately? Or the following day?

 

1.) I think it looks in between the two.
2.) Just add ammonia when you measure and the ammonia is 0.

 

1) Looks like 2 ppm
2) add ammonia on day 3 if it is 1 ppm or lower.

 

I just used Dr Tims to cycle my tank. I wouldn't worry too much about the specific instructions for each 'day'. It depends on your individual tank.

Essentially just dose to around 2ppm wait until the ammonia starts dropping below 1ppm and you start getting nitrite readings and then dose again (and repeat). Continue until your ammonia is reducing close to 0 in 24 hours and then start checking for nitrates. The bacteria for converting nitrites to nitrates takes longer to develop.

Eventually ammonia and nitrates are both back to 0 after 24 hours and your done. Mine took about 5 weeks. Good luck!

 

I just used Dr Tims to cycle my tank. I wouldn't worry too much about the specific instructions for each 'day'. It depends on your individual tank.

Essentially just dose to around 2ppm wait until the ammonia starts dropping below 1ppm and you start getting nitrite readings and then dose again (and repeat). Continue until your ammonia is reducing close to 0 in 24 hours and then start checking for nitrates. The bacteria for converting nitrites to nitrates takes longer to develop.

Eventually ammonia and nitrates are both back to 0 after 24 hours and your done. Mine took about 5 weeks. Good luck!

Thank you!

 

I agree.

If it gets below 1ppm, dose back to 2 ppm.

For now, ignore nitrites except to let you know cycle is progressing.

IMO the only nitrites reading I would be concerned with is if it was over 5ppm. Then I would do a water change.

But just dosing to 2ppm, you shouldn’t have that problem.