New tank, Dr Tims Ammonium Chloride and Seachem Stability cycle?
 

New tank, Dr Tims Ammonium Chloride and Seachem Stability cycle?

Hi all, been researching and see a lot of mix/different ways to cycle. First time using dry rock, 40 lbs dry seaflor special reef sand and 16lbs arag-live live Reef sand.l for my 40 Breeder.

Plan on using seachem stability with no hob filter cartridges, only heater and power heads and HOB running free with no light.

So I dose the dr tims to 2ppm which will show after 1-2 hours after dosing? Then add SC stability to absorb the AC and keep bacteria alive? When do I re-dose or do I re-dose the dr tims ammonia?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9cefbdde26.jpg


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You can always simply follow the directions... :p


But.. I personally would do as follows if I was wanting to do that..
#1-Follow the directions on the Stability bottle..
#2-Add the ammonium chloride to 1 or 2ppm max on day one..
#3-Continue with the directions on Stability but do not add anymore ammonia..
#4-Then just wait for ammonia/nitrites to be zero and enjoy..

I recommend against going crazy with the ammonia as most just over do it and end up with sky high nitrates and then need to do substantial water changes to reduce those levels post cycling..

Thank you! At first wasn't sure if I should be adding the ammonia, so had to make a post But makes sense since bottle wants fish in cycle.

Will dose to 2ppm and wait, good to know not to re-dose the A/C


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Initial startup test, nothing added just rodi/salt and live sand https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...41e0d6caa2.jpg


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There may be some ammonia already from the "live sand".. Despite the name its typically more "dead" than "live" as it can sit on warehouse shelves/dry out fairly quickly..

Many of those "bacteria in a bottle" products are also kind of hit or miss and many times don't really seem to do anything but take money from your pocket..

Thanks! Yea, I know the story of live/dead sand haha, figure 1/2 off at $14 I needed some extra anyways and if it helps cool plus had store credit. Bacteria in a bottle was a filler item to get to free shipping so worth a shot[emoji23]


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Personally, I would go with a smaller dose, something like 0.5-1.0 ppm, which should be high enough to measure accurately with a hobbyist kit. Extra ammonia isn't going to accomplish much, but it won't hurt much either at 2.0 ppm.

I don't know whether the bacteria actually will help produce a filter on the rock, but it might. It should be able to consume ammonia, but that's different from seeding the rock.

Did 120 drops instead of 180 drops . Factored in rocks and sand and water volume.


2 hours later since ammonium chloride:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4e169349ca.jpg


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And it has begun...
enjoy the cycle..

No more ammonia needed for you..

Exactly what I was thinking, well that ammonia was done lol. Ammonia and nitrate test today [emoji3]


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Day 3 of bacteria , 1 day since ammonium add

Attachment 384084




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Added 80 drops of Dr Tims Ammonium Chloride 2 days ago, feel like I barely see any nitrate spike though.....add more A/C or a fish now?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b498c7d625.jpg


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Well your Nitrate is fine, your ammonia is 0, it took 2 days for the ammonia you added to get 'converted' so I would say you can add fish but go slow.

New tank, Dr Tims Ammonium Chloride and Seachem Stability cycle?
 

I didn't even test the 1st day on the 2nd ammonia batch but 120 drops was 4ppm on 1st dose. How long will the bacteria live if I don't add fish?


Planning on adding fish 12/26 or 29th, 2 clowns lm thinking.


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tank is cycled..
No need to add any more ammonia..
Bacteria will be just fine..
Start adding whenever..
Enjoy...

Sweet, thank you for confirming and Merry Christmas!


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I agree that the bacteria should be fine indefinitely, at least for a smallish first batch of fish. If you are very worried, a tiny flake of food every day or two might help keep more bacteria going, and would help feed any small animals (amphipods, copepods, etc).

Thank you, I'm excited as ice been outta the hobby for 3 years after 10 years plus doing it! Plus my 3 yo w love nemo!


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You're welcome. Have fun!

Time for a water change, got 2 clowns on Saturday and one was acting funny today. Swimming at top, Dosed prime and all was well so far, nitrates seem high around 10 ppm.

Thinking 10% wc/4 gallons.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...971d1bca3f.jpg


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Those numbers look safe enough for fish. They won't care about nitrate at all. Ammonia and nitrite appear to be zero.

New tank, Dr Tims Ammonium Chloride and Seachem Stability cycle?
 

All seems well today, held off on the wc to keep bacteria going. Brown algae starting so need small cuc.

Fish seemed starving when I feed them, light feedings though to reduce waste. Surprised at the local petco stock where I get clowns vs lfs stock/health.

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bd63f2685a.jpg


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Those results still seem okay. I'd be careful about the ammonia, though. Dosing some Prime again might be worthwhile. I suspect that the level is fine, though.

Thanks! Also too soon to pull the filter cartridges from hob or leave in until more algae in tank?


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What kind of cartridges are they?