Dr Tims one and only.

Mussin · 08/06/2012, 05:40 AM

Im going to be purchasing a bottle of Dr. Tims one and only to cycle my 90G.

My question is do I run the return pumps or just power heads? Im guessing no skimmer? Lights? Do I want this stuff to go throughout my DT and sump?

Thanks

Jeremy

Potsy · 08/06/2012, 05:51 AM

I've used Dr. Tim's and I can't recall if you're supposed to shut off the skimmer; just follow the instructions. Keep all pumps - power heads and main pump - on.

billdogg · 08/06/2012, 06:51 AM

If it were mine, I would leave everything on. And skip the Dr. Tim's - there are plenty of great things in this hobby to spend money on - IMHO, Dr Tims is not one of them.

Remember - quicker almost always DOES NOT equal better. Only bad things happen fast.

arkaeus · 08/06/2012, 07:09 AM

Remove any filter socks, keep skimmer off for 48hrs. Btw, drTims works great, and I ran all pumps while letting the bacteria populate.

motojoe1988 · 08/06/2012, 09:35 AM

+1^^^ dr.tims works great and fast still take your time with cycling the tank.. i bought live sand and live rock from marine depot and my tank cycled in under 2 Weeks.

Mussin · 08/06/2012, 01:06 PM

Ok so leave every thing on except the skimmer. Thanks. Just bought it today should have it by thurs or fri. I know a few people who have used it with great success. One even cycled his 125 in 3 days.

Jeremy

MrTuskfish · 08/06/2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mussin

Ok so leave every thing on except the skimmer. Thanks. Just bought it today should have it by thurs or fri. I know a few people who have used it with great success. One even cycled his 125 in 3 days.

Jeremy

Having a tank showing "cycled" test results and having a bacteria colony that can support a tank of life can be two different things. Dr. Tim's does seem to get more favorable reviews than all of the similar products that have come and gone; but I still haven't read much about the long-term muse of the stuff. Most of these ''miracle grow" products are bacteria that can actually destroy the natural strains. I would proceed with extreme caution.

kv2wr1 · 08/06/2012, 01:50 PM

Dr.Tim's one and only does work rather well, but don't expect it to cycle your tank completely in 1 week. It might take 1 week to go through the ammonia phase if your tank is using all dry rock and dry sand. All tanks are different. Leave the skimmer and if you have it UV off for at least 48 hours. Do leave the powerheads, heaters, and return pumps on. Take off any filter socks and/or prefilters before adding the bacteria. Also make sure your salinity and pH are in the correct range and adjust accordingly. You may be adjusting pH daily. Keep pH between 8.1 - 8.3 if you can. It will help the bacteria do their thing faster.

Sohal Tang Tim · 11/12/2018, 02:12 PM

Dr, Tim says the bacteria like to attach...so if the return pump is left on the bacteria have a harder time attaching no? I am wondering if i should leave ALL pumps off for a few hours till the bacteria settles in the sand and on the rocks?

mcgyvr · 11/12/2018, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sohal Tang Tim

Dr, Tim says the bacteria like to attach...so if the return pump is left on the bacteria have a harder time attaching no? I am wondering if i should leave ALL pumps off for a few hours till the bacteria settles in the sand and on the rocks?

You turn everything on..bacteria has no problem settling/attaching to surfaces when there is water movement..

Sohal Tang Tim · 11/12/2018, 07:25 PM

The powerhead and the return pump are on
My skimmer will not be on till a week after livestock added....
Thx
Tim

mcgyvr · 11/12/2018, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sohal Tang Tim

The powerhead and the return pump are on
My skimmer will not be on till a week after livestock added....
Thx
Tim

Your choice...you can turn the skimmer on whenever you want..

Sohal Tang Tim · 11/12/2018, 07:53 PM

thx Mcgyvr

Sk8r · 11/16/2018, 10:33 AM

The WATER is a fairly minor locale for the bacteria that will keep your tank proper. The place the bacteria really live is the sand and live rock, and not just the surface of either of these, but deep inside. They get there by eating and dividing, eating and dividing---ie, growing big enough for two and then becoming two. And getting the tank fully cycled means having far, far, far more bacteria than comes in that bottle. TIME and good conditions for the bacteria are the only thing that can get it there. You can imagine it takes a while for bacteria to populate a rock. I know you're in haste to have it all perfect, but this is a process that doesn't work any more than you can toss seed out onto bare dirt and plan a garden party for next Friday. READ the sticky notes atop this forum. There's a lot more to this than barely cycling.

Sohal Tang Tim · 11/16/2018, 03:04 PM

I fully realize that...in truth...it takes a YEAR roughly for a tank to REALLY BE CYCLED WELL ... in the meantime there is always some cycling going on....

Cheers and thanks

Tim

Sk8r · 11/16/2018, 03:36 PM

But re your skimmer question, until you have amino acid (protein) waste to pick up, no use for a skimmer. You want the dieoff in there to feed the bacteria and let them prolifterate. I'd run the system, no socks or filter pads---for one thing, if you have any live rock in there yet, you may well have micro-hitchhikers like copepods that are good to have, and they don't circulate through filter socks.

Sohal Tang Tim · 11/16/2018, 04:02 PM

Ya I dont want to put socks in because the Dr Tim's bacteria will get stuck in them and when clean the socks outttt goes the bacteria..

Dont want to run skimmer because want to let a bit of die off stay in the tank to feed the bacteria etc....will turn the skimmer on in a week or so...

Thanks

Tim

08/06/2012, 05:40 AM	#1
Mussin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lima,Ohio Posts: 728	Dr Tims one and only. Im going to be purchasing a bottle of Dr. Tims one and only to cycle my 90G. My question is do I run the return pumps or just power heads? Im guessing no skimmer? Lights? Do I want this stuff to go throughout my DT and sump? Thanks Jeremy

08/06/2012, 06:51 AM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	If it were mine, I would leave everything on. And skip the Dr. Tim's - there are plenty of great things in this hobby to spend money on - IMHO, Dr Tims is not one of them. Remember - quicker almost always DOES NOT equal better. Only bad things happen fast. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/12/2018, 02:12 PM	#9
Sohal Tang Tim Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Collingwood , ON, Canada Posts: 928	Dr, Tim says the bacteria like to attach...so if the return pump is left on the bacteria have a harder time attaching no? I am wondering if i should leave ALL pumps off for a few hours till the bacteria settles in the sand and on the rocks? __________________ "My God Reefs are Gorgeous!" Current Tank Info: 25 gallon reef

11/12/2018, 07:25 PM	#11
Sohal Tang Tim Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Collingwood , ON, Canada Posts: 928	all on The powerhead and the return pump are on My skimmer will not be on till a week after livestock added.... Thx Tim __________________ "My God Reefs are Gorgeous!" Current Tank Info: 25 gallon reef

11/12/2018, 07:53 PM	#13
Sohal Tang Tim Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Collingwood , ON, Canada Posts: 928	thx Mcgyvr __________________ "My God Reefs are Gorgeous!" Current Tank Info: 25 gallon reef

08/06/2012, 05:51 AM	#2
Potsy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kinnelon, NJ Posts: 1,827	I've used Dr. Tim's and I can't recall if you're supposed to shut off the skimmer; just follow the instructions. Keep all pumps - power heads and main pump - on.

08/06/2012, 07:09 AM	#4
arkaeus Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 156	Remove any filter socks, keep skimmer off for 48hrs. Btw, drTims works great, and I ran all pumps while letting the bacteria populate.

08/06/2012, 09:35 AM	#5
motojoe1988 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 737	+1^^^ dr.tims works great and fast still take your time with cycling the tank.. i bought live sand and live rock from marine depot and my tank cycled in under 2 Weeks.

08/06/2012, 01:06 PM	#6
Mussin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lima,Ohio Posts: 728	Ok so leave every thing on except the skimmer. Thanks. Just bought it today should have it by thurs or fri. I know a few people who have used it with great success. One even cycled his 125 in 3 days. Jeremy

08/06/2012, 01:50 PM	#8
kv2wr1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 498	Dr.Tim's one and only does work rather well, but don't expect it to cycle your tank completely in 1 week. It might take 1 week to go through the ammonia phase if your tank is using all dry rock and dry sand. All tanks are different. Leave the skimmer and if you have it UV off for at least 48 hours. Do leave the powerheads, heaters, and return pumps on. Take off any filter socks and/or prefilters before adding the bacteria. Also make sure your salinity and pH are in the correct range and adjust accordingly. You may be adjusting pH daily. Keep pH between 8.1 - 8.3 if you can. It will help the bacteria do their thing faster.

11/16/2018, 10:33 AM	#14
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	The WATER is a fairly minor locale for the bacteria that will keep your tank proper. The place the bacteria really live is the sand and live rock, and not just the surface of either of these, but deep inside. They get there by eating and dividing, eating and dividing---ie, growing big enough for two and then becoming two. And getting the tank fully cycled means having far, far, far more bacteria than comes in that bottle. TIME and good conditions for the bacteria are the only thing that can get it there. You can imagine it takes a while for bacteria to populate a rock. I know you're in haste to have it all perfect, but this is a process that doesn't work any more than you can toss seed out onto bare dirt and plan a garden party for next Friday. READ the sticky notes atop this forum. There's a lot more to this than barely cycling. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/16/2018, 03:04 PM	#15
Sohal Tang Tim Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Collingwood , ON, Canada Posts: 928	Thanks. I fully realize that...in truth...it takes a YEAR roughly for a tank to REALLY BE CYCLED WELL ... in the meantime there is always some cycling going on.... Cheers and thanks Tim __________________ "My God Reefs are Gorgeous!" Current Tank Info: 25 gallon reef

11/16/2018, 03:36 PM	#16
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	But re your skimmer question, until you have amino acid (protein) waste to pick up, no use for a skimmer. You want the dieoff in there to feed the bacteria and let them prolifterate. I'd run the system, no socks or filter pads---for one thing, if you have any live rock in there yet, you may well have micro-hitchhikers like copepods that are good to have, and they don't circulate through filter socks. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/16/2018, 04:02 PM	#17
Sohal Tang Tim Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Collingwood , ON, Canada Posts: 928	no skimmer and no socks Ya I dont want to put socks in because the Dr Tim's bacteria will get stuck in them and when clean the socks outttt goes the bacteria.. Dont want to run skimmer because want to let a bit of die off stay in the tank to feed the bacteria etc....will turn the skimmer on in a week or so... Thanks Tim __________________ "My God Reefs are Gorgeous!" Current Tank Info: 25 gallon reef