Fish-less Cycling with Dry Rock

NO...I’m not being paid by Dr. Tim. 🙂

I’ve cycled 6-7 tanks with Dr Tim’s “One and Only.” It works. I also like his Waste Away and Eco Balance.

Dr. Tim’s “One and Only”
https://www.chewy.com/dr-tims-aquatic...

Ammonium Chloride:
https://www.chewy.com/dr-tims-aquatic...

Macna Video...Courtesy of BRS:
   • Dr. Tim Hovanec: How to harness bacte...  


DrTim’s instructions for fishless cycle:

* Day 1 – dose ammonia to 2 ppm ammonia-nitrogen [NH3-N] using our ammonium chloride [After Nov 2016 when using DrTim’s ammonium chloride use 4 drops per gallon] [NOTE: do not expect your test kit to exactly read 2 ppm and it is not critical to get exactly 2 ppm. The key is to not add too much ammonia].  If using DrTim’s Aquatics One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria add it now (turn skimmer, UV and ozone off and remove filter socks for 48 hours).
* Day 2 – Measure ammonia and nitrite.
* Day 3 – If ammonia and nitrite are below 1 ppm add more ammonia: four drops of our ammonium chloride per gallon (check the label).
* Days 4 & 5 – Measure ammonia and nitrite.
* Day 6 – If ammonia and nitrite are below 1 ppm add 2 ppm ammonia. Four drops of our ammonium chloride per gallon. [NOTE: since you have added the One & Only your ammonia kit will not read 2 ppm and DO NOT continue adding ammonia trying to get to 2 ppm – just add 2 ppm ammonia (4 drops per gallon of our ammonium chloride) and carry-on.
* Days 7 & 8 – Measure ammonia and nitrite. On the first measurement day (Day 2, 4, 5, 7 or 8) that BOTH ammonia and nitrite are both below 0.5 ppm (NH3-N or NO2-N) your tank is close to being cycled.


* Now start to measure ammonia and nitrite every day.
* When BOTH ammonia and nitrite are below 0.2 ppm (NH3-N or NO2-N), add another 2 ppm ammonia.
* Continue to measure every day. When you can add 2 ppm ammonia and BOTH ammonia and nitrite are below 0.2 ppm (NH3-N or NO2-N) the next day your tank is cycled – congrats! You’re done!
* Do a partial water change and add some fish.
* If either ammonia or nitrite concentration get above 5 ppm, do water changes to lower the concentration.
* Do not let the pH drop below 7. If it does, do a partial water change to bring the pH back up.
* Do not add ammonia removers to bind the ammonia – overdosing with these products will just increase the cycling time.
* You do not have to add ammonia everyday – the bacteria do not have to be fed every day. Adding ammonia everyday will results in a sky-high nitrite reading and slow the cycling process.