Tank cycle in 9 days? (Dr Tims day by day results)

We give dr Tim’s a try for the first time. Get to follow day by day.

[@jamesedmunds8707]

Thanks for a good video man ! Most people don't show the test results each day so glad to see a KZbinr kind enough to do so. Thanks again

[@JimOberst]

Thanks for taking the time to record this for us. I'll be doing this in a week or two.

[@shutlepaul]

Looking at jumping into reef aquariums after years of malawi cichlid aquariums. Finding your videos very helpful and informative... keep up the good work ✌👍🇬🇧

[@stephenmcgauley]

Make sure to check out bulk reef supply, they have some great series on how to start reef keeping

[@seanhall9078]

You should also check out Bulk Reef Supplies channel. They have tons of videos on everything saltwater tank related.

[@adrhdz93]

Love Dr Tim’s , use it all the time

[@lynnlutz9883]

I used One And Only for cycling my new fresh water fishless. It took just 7 days, confirmed with API's master test kit. This stuff works!

[@HaVocHarMony]

What chlorine and chloramines remover did you use? All I have is seachem prime

[@lynnlutz9883]

@@HaVocHarMony I use well tap water or rainwater; no need to treat it.

[@Fish-aquaticz]

@@lynnlutz9883with corals?

[@KoiKicks]

Looks a top option to do the cycle, well, I call part 1 of! You was definitely still reading nitrite at the end for sure.

[@TheOffCycle]

Once your read below .25 on ammonia and nitrite you are supposed to add another 2ppm ammonium cloride. Once u can add that 2ppm and have it and nitrite read under .20 within 24hrs its cycled NOT the first time you read 0.

[@DougFL66]

I’m doing the exact thing. I’ve watched in detail the other video you referenced. It says in the directions “are your values above 5ppm if not add more ammonia” You needed more ammonia for the first part prior 7th day. I’m on 7th day nitrite 3. is up ammonia is 4ppm nitrates roughly 20 meaning it’s cycling. I’m gonna add more bacteria to battle ammonia faster to transfer to nitrates.

[@N1GHTMA1R]

thank you for this, just started "cycling" mine a lot of beginner guides and videos leave a lot out. Glad I didn't put fish in my tank is definitely not ready. Will be getting this today and properly cycling it now.

[@GabrielGuzman18]

Very helpful! Saving this video for when I start the process

[@silvester0811]

Love your rock work, kudos man.

[@purii1990]

I think the reason you haven't been seeing nitrite is because you've been under dosing the ammonia. According to doctor Tim you want between 2ppm and 3ppm ammonia, you don't want it to be above 5ppm. Above 5ppm the ammonia becomes toxic for the nitrite-nitrate conversion bacteria. Also, temperature should be between 80 and 85.

[@hurricaneaquatics]

Glad you tested Dr Tim's. Your tank would have almost cycled as fast without using anything. Dr Tim's is not for me.

[@Malick_ibn_dinar]

That’s a bummer that we never get to see this tank update

[@DavidDavis311]

If nitrates are 100ppm then a 25% water change will only bring it down to 75ppm. I’d probably do 25% every couple of days until it’s in a reasonable range.

[@eatsleepreef9565]

Ya ended up doing 30% for 3 days with two days rest in btwn

[@derekmilne8793]

What would you call a reasonable range for a new tank like this?

[@DavidDavis311]

@@eatsleepreef9565 your very meticulous probably didn’t even need to mention It lol.

[@DavidDavis311]

@@derekmilne8793 I would try to get it below 10ppm.

[@mikem8608]

Thank you for posting this day by day video. After watching, I would say you could have done without that 3rd dose of ammonia. If you'd skipped that 3rd dose, I feel like you wouldn't have needed the skimmer.

[@aquamarinereef7460]

Hi well documented and well done. Just a question if you over dose the Amonia it will result to a higher No3 which you need to reduce now right. After a specific level of No3 the the system will stall unless No3 is acceptable, therefore did you managed to reduce now No3? Thanks one more question the light was off during the complete cycle?

[@JasonStJohn-my1cs]

Saltwater tank cycle faster than freshwater. All you Gotta do is dump a bottle of Fritz turbo 900 and then 5 to 7 days it’s done as long as you have Sand. I’ve done it many times.

[@Dd0tNyC]

Very well done video, easy clear English with no speech impediments and annoying mouth noises omg thank you 🙏

[@melódic_breeze_VIIIV]

Hey man great video 👍where did you pick up the handy Dr Tim’s results chart, does this come with 1 of the products?

[@UTUBESTEVED]

Great video man you killed it👍🏻

[@mickihart1677]

I'm on day 7 of Dr. Tims fishless cycle in a heavily planted tank and the ammonia and nitrites (or nitrates)have remained at zero. Nothing is happening. Whats wrong? I'm so frustrated. In this same tank i tried a fish in cycle and the fish (guppies) they lived about 3 weeks then the all died almost overnight. I never had any ammonia or nitrites then either. Suggestions?

[@tomekaridley6371]

Did you test the PH, KH, and GH levels?

[@nathandesmond3641]

Never used dr tims but turbo start cycled my tank in 3 days

[@moereefer]

I always use Dr. Tim’s one and only from the day it came out. It’s fast but only half of my tanks I used didn’t break out out with algae the others broke out very bad depending on rock used, I always use live sand. Just some rock was emarco dry rock and some was live rock

[@karennation3580]

Love aquascape! Looks like u ran lights. Isnt it better not to to avoid ugly stage?

[@chrissanchez7980]

Very nice process! How did you go about increasing your salinity once the tank was cycled to get it ready for fish and corals? Currently upgrading from a JBJ 45 to a 90g and going to do this same process.

[@jancavalieri5444]

I don''t recall from the video exactly the salinity he used while cycling the tank and he didn't say how to get it back to the correct salinity but I know it involves some math to do it. You'll either need to add more pure water to decrease the current salinity or mix a separate solution that is a certain amount lower so that when you mix the two solutions it will average out to the correct salinity level. In anycase, I would cycle the aquarium and then do a second water change with a solution that is lower in salinity or do a small water change and just replace the amount you change with real water.. (Sol1 density x * amount x ) + (Sol 2 dentsity y * amount y )/2 - You'll know the value of "x" because you already made your your first solution- you just need to solve for value y so that a mixture of the two solutions results in the correct density you need, I'd probably just make an educated guess if you can't do the math of how to do this. (or guess by using small ammounts of each solution but mix one to the same salinity that he used, then guess on how much and what the desity needs to be on the second solution, Good question - it's been about 36 yrs since my last math class.. .

[@johnwilliams4806]

I’m just going to run the proper salinity from the start and not be in a rush

[@briandixon4931]

You raise salanity gradually between a period of 2 to 4 days to where you want salanity desired and you do the same for temperature by removing and adding fresh mix saltwater can you raise ot

[@HowTo-d007]

I love your aquscape, how many kilograms of stones did you use?

[@kiddt1999]

On my 120 i added 2 clowns on day 1 and used fluval cycle for 3 days, done

[@dannydingdingable]

That rockscape is awesome. What package of caribsea did you get?

[@paulharker5052]

I believe once your ammonia is 0 your cycled, what I read was nitrite does not affect marine life at the levels we test at

[@TheOffCycle]

No true. Once it reads under .20 from being 2ppm within 24hrs its cycled. If you read zero ammonia you add more the test again in 24hrs. If below .20 you are cycled

[@darrylchase3688]

I recomend watching Dr. Tim's KZbin video if you really want to understand the nitrogen cycle in your tank: Dr. Tim Hovanec: How to harness bacteria to cycle your saltwater tank quickly!

[@ramonrivera8993]

Great video! Question though, When did you change the temperature and salinity back to normal ranges?

[@smallville10699]

Them API test kits are terrible, spend the extra few quid, I used Dr Tim's on 3 tanks 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 20ppm nitrate after 5 days.. Job done

[@mikeydee7815]

To cycle a tank the api kit is good enough!!

[@jancavalieri5444]

Just keep in mind that the tank isn't cycled after the 1st time you reach 0 ammonia, you need to add ammonia at least one more time and see if it converts it overnight, If it does. then you are cycled, If you didn't do that then you likely would have added another couple of days to completely cycle your aquarium . Also I've used API tanks for the last 4 years without a problem. My only issue with them is that they set it up so that you'll run out of the ammonia solutions and the Nitrite solution way before you run out of the other solutions which I think is a rip off - because the cost to replace just those two solutions by themselves is about the same price as buying an entire kit.

[@reiererickson5513]

You're supposed to dose your ammonia TO 2 ppm... Your cycle stalled because you didn't add enough to begin with.

[@aqhan]

Thank you for that video. What powerhead is that?

[@manuelegarzelli647]

But you did not follow Dr. Havanec's instructions to the letter, he indicates that you have a salintà at 20 ppm, temperature at 28 °, no light and no skimmer.

[@briandixon4931]

No water skimmer working while aquarium is cycling no lights or media except for bio balls for the bacteria to grow and multiple

[@briandixon4931]

What he said is right temperature should be very warm for the good bscteria to multiple also salanity very low same concept for good bacteria. Skimmer should never be running

[@MrEvilmitch]

Why is the skimmer even on 🤷‍♂️ nothing in the tank to even warrant a skimmer yet

[@rzage1]

What’s a skimmer compared to a filter with sponge and cloth strainer ?

[@christinaponce8356]

I love the rocks. Where did you get them from?

[@marsaquariums8843]

i followed doctor tim’s as well, great stuff, no need ghost feeding, and no need skimmer on, i waited until the amonia and nitrites became zero, took 7 weeks lol

[@stephenmcgauley]

Yeah mine is taking close to 7 weeks too with my bare bottom. And I agree, No skimmer needed until fish and no food needed. The bacteria will survive just fine for a few weeks until you are done with the fish quarantine.

[@marsaquariums8843]

@@stephenmcgauley mine is bare bottom too

[@stephenmcgauley]

@@marsaquariums8843 that is an interesting insight that both our barebottoms cycled in about the same time with dr. tims. This is my first bare bottom tank, so that is cool to know. Thanks for the reply.

[@marsaquariums8843]

@@stephenmcgauley welcome , it is very interesting, i think its true bare bottoms are longer to cycle, this is my second tank, first one has sand and rocks cycled almost two weeks.

[@Nathan-wn5mc]

@@stephenmcgauley 7 weeks? That's crazy. Must be because of the bare bottom.

[@spittys_reef1343]

Works well...my cycle took 21 days doing this instead of 14 , but it def works!

[@chiraagshetty7164]

Nice Led backlight

[@Brock0122627]

Nice video. Day 2 I had 2ppm ammonia and .25 nitrite. So I guess I’ll measure again tomorrow and see if it drops, if not I just wait right? Dr Tim doesn’t say anything about a water change

[@bjtv83]

Could you update NO3 level after 1/4 water change? It is like a textbook of cycling reef tank using bacteria.

[@NanoTLG]

Great tank! Excellent vid thanks

[@adamprice8382]

I followed the instructions to a T and my ammonia is over 2 at day 4. Also used 60 pounds of Fiji pink live sand plus the microbactre. I have 4 pouches of the seachem bio balls , all in a 65 gallon. There should be plenty of surface area for the bacteria to grow. The only thing I can think might have affected it was having to wait a whole week for the silt to settle to start the cycle. Any suggestions, comments, advice???

[@johnwilliams4806]

Stay with it add some seachem stability and keep watching the nitrites and nitrates 👍

[@adamprice8382]

@@johnwilliams4806 it's catching up, I'm just gonna have to cycle it longer. Having to wait two days in-between adding the next ammonia dose. I'll check out the seachem stability and see if that helps. Thanks for the advice and help dude 👊

[@emmanuelperez4830]

Great documentation on your cycling of your tank. Great video keep them coming

[@aaronschafer3385]

What size bottle of Tim’s did you use? I thought you could dump the whole bottle?

[@flannelcommander]

Yep. The entire bottle.

[@jjmccloud]

Yea he should have just dumped it all in

[@Dd-760-]

Dr. Tim’s didn’t work for me same with microbacter xlm. It’s to hot in Phoenix so I use microbacter 7. Works like a charm.

[@mattos_aquaristik]

If someone happens to read this message, I need help: Following the fish-less cycle, using the Red Sea test (Which only goes to 2ppm), I have been getting 2 ppm Ammonia from day one all the way to day 6; the instructions say “Do not keep adding Ammonia until you reach 2 ppm”; should I assume they mean “Do not add if you are at 2ppm”?…. Im getting readings of both Nitrites and Nitrates and the PH is acceptable. Do I add the Sodium Chloride expected today?, PLEASE HELP 🙂

[@critianclassico8208]

How many drops per gallon did you add? And did it work dozing it as the chart says?

[@DougFL66]

I’m not sure you did it right. Something isn’t adding up. The directions want ammonia above 5ppm. Are you sure you put enough bacteria. Read the paper again.

[@rzage1]

I’m using DrTims bacteria and ammonia . After 7 days I’m at 0 ammonia but my nitrites are bright purple maybe 2 pm and it’s been stay that high for a few days . I’m trying to recycle a fresh water tank and have my filter on . Should I keep my filter off . It’s a back filter with foam and one piece of a felt like strainer . What do you think ?

[@rudra7615]

The last 5mins actually covers a step that is very important. On the website the steps say the following...which is to dose the tank with ammonia 2ppm if you see ammonia drop below 2ppm. And you have to keep dosing ammonia until you reach a day when it goes under 0.25pm in 24hours, that's when it is cycled as nitrites will be 0 then as well. That's the actual steps, not to wait until ammonia drops to under 0.25

[@Joshsmoove]

So whats your opinion if my ammonia levels dropped to 0ppm and nitrites to 2ppm within 12 hrs of dosing with 2ppm of ammonia. My Nitrites dropped to .25ppm 24hrs after dosing ammonia. What would be your next step?

[@rudra7615]

@@Joshsmoove bro, I didn't even focus on nitrites when I cycled. I looked for the ammonia in 24hrs..the moment I saw it consistently go to zero in 24hours, I knew it was ready for fish..but you need that drop happening in 24hours to 0

[@Joshsmoove]

@@rudra7615 ok I'll let my nitrites fully drop then and then dose with 2ppm of ammonia to see if its cycled after 24hrs.

[@rudra7615]

@@Joshsmoove I'm talking about ammonia, not nitrites. I didn't worry too much, but it was blue when I checked.

[@Joshsmoove]

@@rudra7615 what I meant was, I wanted my nitrites to drop to 0 since they were actually 2 ppm last evening, at least to my eyes. I didn't want the nitrites to go to high after adding ammonia again. I checked this AM and the ammonia and nitrites were 0. I dosed it with 2 ppm of ammonia so I'll check again tonight around 9:30 pm and last time around 930 AM to determine if it's been cycled.

[@nodieskysgonzales]

Hello my . I have been watching your video again again and again. Because I am doing the same . Day 6 and my amonia still 2.0 . Two questions for you . Did you turn on your skimmer after 48 hours starting the ciclo??

[@christianf1157]

I will be completing the cycle soon. I won't be able to get fish for another 2 weeks, do I continue to dose 2ppm ammonia and how often?

[@RasoRas]

Out of topic, is your return pump on at all during the video as I noticed no noise coming from your tank at all? My whole living room is constantly vibrating when the pump is on. It soo loud! What make is yours??

[@charles29cc]

Took me 6 weeks and everyone I asked says 6 weeks to. Not sure how 9 days is possible

[@go4384]

Dr Tim’s has been a fail for me so far by day 8. Seeing some color on the rocks maybe. Ammonia at 3 ppm and no nitrites or nitrates. Tried an injection of API quick start to see if I can get the ammonia down and speed this up.

[@elav1]

It's supposed to be 4-6 weeks usually add ammonium chloride to help with it

[@Cvslol]

Started a 125 gallon 6 foot long with bacteria liferock and 2 clowns. Week later no ammonia. What do I do?

[@LuisRivera-bn9ts]

Can I ask, Did the chart you went by comes with Dr. Tim's aquatic ammonia Chloride solution?

[@lovesomepepi]

Mines didn’t but I got it off of google just put Dr. Tim’s fishless cycling chart

[@alexpellman8637]

You can send those test kits to me haha. I’m about to start cycling a 90 gallon

[@ultraXRR]

@EATSLEEPReef Great informative and detailed video. How did you bring up your salinity after the cycle? Gradually through water changes?

[@johnwilliams4806]

Lol

[@WINKY8472]

Were you able to put fish & corals in after you completed this process?

[@roberttouro]

Hi what Rock brand is that. I like it

[@guadalupemartinez-dn9pz]

I have a question for you. So I have a 20 gallon also that I have had set up for about 6weeks 1 1/2 month with fish in it now. I just got me a 55 gallon that I have had cycling for about a week now. I did take some of the dry rock that I had in the set up 20g and put in the 55g with the new rock. I wanted to take all rock and sand from the 20g and put it in the 55g but since I have fish, shrimp, and clean up crew in the 20g I don’t want to risk leaving them without any sand, rock, and and cause levels to spike or something due to me messing with the sand and having no rock. What do you suggest I do. Should I take the same amount of water the 20g has from the 55g and put all in the 55g and the sand and all. I really don’t want to loose any of the fish or sand In doing this.

[@bridgettchapman5020]

Looks purple to me maybe turn blue after your water change

[@kingjohndavidsr9720]

Nice vid. I prefer cycling without a bottle. Add some live sand, some live rock and three blue/green reef chromis. After testing the water, the job is complete.

[@Juan_Mattos]

I know this goes a year back, but could you tell me what day did you start the light schedule?, thanks 🙂

[@bensimpson4091]

that is quite impressive great job and love your scape. but please stop calling calling ammonia ammonium haha Should do a hardscape video if you havent already.

[@rayzorhead]

I have a Cube20 and my local aquarium advised I do a fish less cycle by adding ONE drop of Aquaforest Bio S per day and a pinch of fish food. It’s presumed it will take 2+ weeks for it to cycles..... more likely a month. Can I just do your technique halfway thru?

[@jacklawer6389]

Who sells this tims please

[@Jel0XD]

Wait why were you skimming while cycling?

[@88cloudsin1]

I cycled a tank in 6 days once using dr tims, dry rock, live sand sand bottled ammonia

[@albertmaya6882]

Question for you... I have a well established 20 gallon tank (set up since 2018), I’m upgrading to a 90 gallon tank. Do I have to do a new cycle in new tank or can I somehow incorporate the old tank into the new tank? Should I put some of the rock in my old tank into the new tank during the cycle? How would you go about it?

[@anasgeckos3164]

Bring the old filter into the new aquarium cycling has to do with bacteria in your filter .

[@albertmaya6882]

@@anasgeckos3164 no filter, it’s an AIO, filter is rock

[@audraknoll7842]

You'll have to recycle, but if you use the substrait/rock (don't let them dry), and you incorporate the old water, you'll get it faster. I did did with with my 20, and it took about half the time as an original cycle. Just a bit of an ammonia spike at first but it evened out quickly. Good rule though, is any change, will effect the cycle. The more changes the more it will be effected.

[@guadalupemartinez-dn9pz]

I have a question for you. So I have a 20 gallon also that I have had set up for about 6weeks 1 1/2 month with fish in it now. I just got me a 55 gallon that I have had cycling for about a week now. I did take some of the dry rock that I had in the set up 20g and put in the 55g with the new rock. I wanted to take all rock and sand from the 20g and put it in the 55g but since I have fish, shrimp, and clean up crew in the 20g I don’t want to risk leaving them without any sand, rock, and and cause levels to spike or something due to me messing with the sand and having no rock. What do you suggest I do. Should I take the same amount of water the 20g has from the 55g and put all in the 55g and the sand and all. I really don’t want to loose any of the fish or sand In doing this.

[@ohbboogey166]

I just dump it in my tank wait 30days and I'm good

[@madid28613]

Same!

[@scubasteve9032]

I'm on day 10 and my ammonia is still 8.0... been that way 6 days now. Nitrite is 1.0. When will it start going down? I did everything by the book. 25 gallon tank.. did 100 drops of ammonia each time I was supposed to dose.

[@go4384]

I’m no expert but I thought you shouldn’t exceed 5ppm. Your cycle could be stalled (for anyone reading this now, I know it’s been a long time since they wrote this)

[@Mcappo]

No need to actually follow I did it with Fritz 900 and higher temp and lower salinity. It’s 1000% the way to go. My son cycled with clowns it took 3 weeks. I had my fish added in 9 days with 0 ammonia 0 nitrites only nitrates.

[@jeffstevens199]

Where did you get those Live Rocks?

[@bnewman_1009]

What do you do if you accidentally overdosed ammonia and it’s above 4ppm

[@franciscosegura5712]

When the tank is already cycle what salinity you used and temperature?

[@shawncavan8295]

I have a question. the ammonium chloride says to add 4 drops only per gallon so if I have a 40-gallon tank how many drops should I put?? Thank you

[@kennethphillips5920]

How many drops of ammonium chloride did you use?

[@rdred8693]

Supposed to use 4 drops per gallon

[@smalltown89]

What is that wireless pump you use?

[@Tetrastructural]

I cycled my Reefer 350 with one bottle of Dr Tims and 2 clowns in 24 hours. :)

[@dragonskinstudio]

Seachem works at similar time frame

[@Rcman1223]

I didn’t like the test it’s still running it’s corse and I’m 9 days in

[@Koalavo]

when would it be safe to add corals?

[@ManuelCastillo-kq3xy]

Hello, I have had zero ammonite for almost 7 days and nitrites at 0.5 t, nitrates at 50 I add something? use one% only and smononia for 7 days....

[@chasemclelan8446]

No black background? I thought they all came With it?

[@nathandesmond3641]

He took it off

[@michaelbain6402]

Maybe its the camera but the ammonia test looks green to me. Shouldn't it be yellow?

[@eatsleepreef9565]

The camera wasn’t interpreting the colors as I was seeing them. When there is ammonia it’s green and when there isn’t it’s yellow.

[@6eastModej25]

High my ammonia 2ppm nitrite 0 nitrate at 20 ? Is that cycle ? Should I do a water change it skipped nitrite from the beginning ?? I’m confuse please help

[@collieprints]

Why are you running your skimmer?

[@Humblelifetv]

What about on day 5 if my ammonia is at 4.0 should I still add on day 6 ?

[@ashleedeathangel5445]

Whats the stuff that gets on thw glass. I just got my salt water tank. And they told me to put the beneficial bacteria thing in there to start my recks ect. Im asking about thw stuff on glass becuase im watching

[@zafishguy5166]

Powerheads look so clean on a new tank. I get that cleaning gets the same look but it doesn't feel the same plus somehow its always dirty in a little bit in a established tank but in a new tank it looks clean for a while.

[@jjmccloud]

How much did the water change drop the nitrates

[@jorgevillatoro957]

So the first time you added ammonia the directions says add only 4 drops (and 4 drops only)

[@meli8635]

4 drops per gallon

[@SamakUp]

Very interesting

[@BALD8BIL]

Are you using live sand ?

[@scatpack1381]

Should you do 100% water change after. Or just the 25%.

[@anthonynissan2091]

Per the directions on Dr Tim’s it says %25 🤙🏼

[@getlegalpal]

Didnt measure ph at all?

[@rizkytaufiqh4967]

What sand did u use sir