Yet Another Fish(less) Cycle Question

Dr Tims works great, use slightly more then you need just to be safe though. I would avoid the ammonia chloride, reviews say it can vary widely in concentration and doesn’t do a good job. If you have any hardy fish(I know you said fishless but) they will be absolutely fine in conjunction with Dr Tims and a cycle should start. It’s what I did for my 180 gallon and worked like a charm. I also used TopFin ready start a couple days after Dr Tims just to ensure the safety of my fish and the cycle.

If you can’t or won’t do this, look into buying plain store bought ammonia for cleaning instead of ammonium chloride. I don’t know dosing but there is plenty about it online.

 

Yeah it works great. OKAY there is a discrepancy in the number of drops. Over time they changed it so the new versions say 4 drops per gallon DEPENDING on the bottle you have. (some old ones are around)

So if you're using Dr. Tim's do what it says on the bottle. IDK where you saw that video but their actual website has that one and other videos and a blog and a lot of info. There's a blog post about the 1 drop versus 4 drops on there.

I ordered mine on Amazon and it says 4 drops per gallon.

They say do not exceed 5 PPM ammonia readings so don't forget you have to test to track your cycle. API Master Test Kit. Tetra strips are accurate (not APIs) but expensive to use.

I just cycled a bucket using it and it was great. And quick. I also used One and Only in my 20L and Seachem Stability in my 10G Betta tanks when they were new but I also had established media so they weren't really technically new.

When you are cycled, and ready for fish, I recommend using Seachem Prime to dechlorinate your water and protect your fish from any ammonia/nitrites/nitrates that show up. It's good for 48 hours so even if ammonia is still reading on your test, it doesn't impact your fish. You can use it every other day until your tank feels "seasoned" or whatever if it's sketchy with ammonia and nitrites/nitrates. Nitrates leave with plants and water changes.So you need some in there for live plants if you use them. Mine run a low 5.

Typically you'd only add a few fish at a time to let the bio catch up with the actual load from the fish. Supply and demand thing. Because it will/may be different than when you used the ammonia during cycling. So keep testing when you add fish.

And you want to do a partial water change weekly to keep their water optimum.

Have fun!

 

I ordered mine on Amazon and it says 4 drops per gallon.

That's where I am going to get mine from, it's so hard to find pure, unscented, non dyed, soapless ammonia anywhere.

Glad good ol' amazon has this stuff.

Also I've done a few cycles with fish so I will be testing everyday but I'm down to try this fishless cycling, mainly because I won't have to do 1billion water changes to keep the fish alive lol anyway thanks for your response(s) I really appreciate it!

 

That's where I am going to get mine from, it's so hard to find pure, unscented, non dyed, soapless ammonia anywhere.

You might find pure ammonia in grocery, dollar, or hardware stores. I had to visit a few places before I found a grocery store that carries it in MA. Good luck with the cycle!

 

Ok so I got the dr Tim's ammonia today when I was out at this lfs I had never been to before. The owner showed me something call fritzzyme 7 nitrifying bacteria. He showed me a 32oz bottle rated for 160 gallons that he said I should put the whole bottle in my 50! I didn't buy it because I didn't have the cash but he said it can cycle a tank in 3 days? Has anyone ever used this stuff before??

Also I hate to admit it but I am not sure I have this down yet:

1. Add bacteria and ammonia
2. Wait 24hrs
3. Test
4. Wait to get a nitrite reading
5. If ammo. is 0ppm and there are nitrites dose back to 2ppm ammo.
6. When I can add 2ppm ammonia and is processed in 24 hours do a WC and I'm cycled?

 

I've not used that brand of bacteria booster but I once incorporated Tetra Safe Start Plus into a fishless cycle and it had my 29 gallon processing 4 ppm of ammonia in about 3 days.

There are many variations but this could be your procedure:

Water dechlorinated, heater and filter running.

• Dose water to 3 ppm.
• Redose to 3 ppm when it falls to 0-0.25 ppm, max once per day. Once nitrites appear (typically in week 2-3) reduce concentration to 2 ppm, still only dosing when it's near 0 ppm, max once per day.
• Do a water change if needed to keep ammonia and nitrite below 5 ppm and nitrate on the chart. Otherwise, let it do its thing as long as it's progressing.
• Cranking the heat to 82° F can help expedite the process but remember to turn it back down before stocking.
• When dosed ammonia converts to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite in <24 hours, preferably in <12 hours, the tank is cycled. It usually takes me about a month.
• Before stocking, do a huge water change to remove accumulated nitrates. If not stocking immediately, give a daily maintenance dose to 1 ppm to keep the cycle fed and strong.

If you have an existing tank you could take some of its seeded media and put it into this tank's filter to help jump start progress.

On a side note, I see a Marineland Biowheel filter referenced in your profile. The media for this filter is often changed to eliminate the need for cartridges and optimize its performance. If you want to do this then now would be the best time before the cycle and tank get started. (I'm not a fan of cartridges for multiple reasons, which I can explain if you're interested.)

 

Thank you for your reply! I was starting to get confused because I was hearing a bunch of different things from different places but you cleared it up! I've always done fish in cycles but thought I would give this a try...

So I just added my bacteria and ammonia. I will only be able to test the water once a day starting on monday and going through Wednesday... will that be ok? Ideally I'd like to be home but I have to house/babysit for my big sis and I just couldnt wait any longer! Lol. I've been staring at an empty tank for 2 weeks!

 

. I will only be able to test the water once a day starting on monday and going through Wednesday... will that be ok?

That sounds fine. Good luck with the cycle and let us know how things go!

 

Awesome! Yeah definitely keep you in the loop, oh btw...I put 1 fluval 70 foam block in each side of the filter and some quartz bio balls in media bags on top of those, instead of those nasty filter cartridges.

 

Awesome! Yeah definitely keep you in the loop, oh btw...I put 1 fluval 70 foam block in each side of the filter and some quartz bio balls in media bags on top of those, instead of those nasty filter cartridges.

That's great! I think it's a much better choice. You'll maintain a better/stronger cycle and not have to throw away or dissect the cartridges every 3-4 weeks.

You timed your post so well - just when you were about to start. Many people start their first tanks with default filters and cartridges and it's hard to say they might want to switch out the cartridges they just spent weeks or months cycling.

 

They probably haven't had aquariums in the past, about a year ago I had a 37g a 10 gallon and a 20 gallon all set up at once. I decided to get rid of the 20 and the 37 cracked. I was happy to take this one off my sisters hands for free lol but I do plan on doing a planted 29 gallon soon and eventually making this one an African cichlid tank..

 

Update,
Ammonia has been at 4ppm (I added a little too much) and steady for the last 5 days... is that normal?
Also no nitrites of nitrates either.