Dr.Tim's one and only - share your experience

MMreef

MMreef

Active member
Hi guys, I am almost ready to add water to my tank, and start cycle. I've heard good things about Dr.Tim's one and only bacteria. Anybody here used it to start cycle on new tanks , started with dry, dead rock? Please share your experiences, how long does it takes, when can I add fish after. I am very familiar with traditional way to cycle tank, but this time I am looking to shorten this process. Thanks.
 
I havent used Tims but i have used Bio Spira from Instant Ocean, and ill have to say, it does work. Ive heard rumors that both IO and Tims use the same strand of bacteria, but dont quote me. I used dried, acid washed rock and fresh saltwater and it mostly cycled in a week. Problem is, it takes time regardless to develop the bacteria to take care of nitrate. Otherwise, adding pure ammonia would disappear within a few hours and so would nitrite. Right now im going on week three and need to test my nitrate. Im not in a hurry and just needed bacteria for my cycle so i cant really say much on how much time it really saves. Good luck!
 
MMreef said:
Hi guys, I am almost ready to add water to my tank, and start cycle. I've heard good things about Dr.Tim's one and only bacteria. Anybody here used it to start cycle on new tanks , started with dry, dead rock? Please share your experiences, how long does it takes, when can I add fish after. I am very familiar with traditional way to cycle tank, but this time I am looking to shorten this process. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Check out my tank build. You add fish at the same time
 


Went to AP 2 days ago and picked up 4 oz. of Dr Tim's One & Only and 3 chromis for a 40g. Tank was running for a week with dry rock and new live sand along with a live rock and a few cups of sand from my other tank to seed before adding the stuff and fish.

I've read you have to add fish immediately or need to dose ammonia to feed the bacteria. Keep skimmer off for 48 hours. I just noticed diatoms starting to form if thats any sign of progress in the cycle.
 
I've used it twice now and it will definitely shorten the cycle to almost nothing. It still helps to stock slowly though, just so that that bacteria has time to increase in population.

But it is true, you can add fish the next day.
 
Yeah. I have a 50 gal and added two very small clown fish. Any more fish than that and you will have an ammonia spike
 
Dr Tim's has the bacteria for the aquarium to complete the nitrogen cycle. With the proper amount added it could support 100+ fish the next day in a fish only system with biological filtration.

However even though you are using dry rock, it still needs to be cured like the traditional method. Earlier this year I set up my own tank with dry rock. I believe it took 3-4 weeks to cycle. Remember the nitrogen cycle turns ammonia into nitrite and then nitrite into nitrate. When curing the rock, nitrates are building up so you would need to do a huge water change to get rid of them before adding fish and/or coral.
 
I use it on my 125 w dry rock n dry sand . I use 3 chromis. Put them in right after I dump the bottle. I never had problem. I tested every day for over two weeks n had no ammonia spike. If its a smaller tank they recommend u dose ammonia instead of adding live stock.
 
Thanks guys, that's pretty much what I read everywhere. My system total water volume is about 140 gal., I am planning to start with two small fish, maybe three to feed the bacteria once added.
 
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