NOTE as of 2016 - use 4 drops of ammonium chloride per gallon of aquarium water. The old formula was 1 drop per gallon will work - there is not wrong dosage. Use what the directions on the bottle you have says.
Hi Dr.Tim, I set up my saltwater tank 26 days ago by using first defence, one and only and ammonia chloride. I added ammonia chloride three times within this period. Ammonia level comes down to near zero, but nitrite doesn’t come down. What should I do? Thanks
Sorry to be off topic but does anybody know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me.
Hello Dr. Tim, I wanted to say that your One and Only Nitrifying bacteria is astounding; they have helped me tremendously with my aquarium. A great product for those who want to cycle their tanks within a week. I do have a question, though: Does it make a difference to add the bacteria to the filter, instead of the tank? I've read that the filter is the central area where most of the bacteria thrives in.
Thank you for the nice words. Whether to add the bacteria to your filter or the tank depends on the filter you have. I suggest adding to the tank. The bacteria will find places to grow. Why I do not always recommend the filter is that most times the filter will get dirty quickly when first setting-up a tank and people will naturally want to clean it. If you have added all the bacteria directly in the filter you wish throwing away a lot of goof bacteria when you clean the filter. So better to get some bacteria in the substrate and some in the filter - basically spread the bacteria around!
After completing a fishless cycle for a marine tank my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates zero. Do I need to do a water change before adding fish? Just nervous about the ammonia cholride. Is it totally gone?
Your recipe for fishless cycling from your website does not mention using Aqua Cleanse, just First Defense, before adding the One & Only. Are both necessary, or is First Defense sufficient to treat the new tank water?
+Uniqu3 One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria is completely non-toxic and there is no reason to save any in the bottle so best to pour the entire bottle into the tank. It does not help you in the bottle.
Two years ago, your product helped me cycle a tank after I figured out that I needed a better filter. Now, I have a 75-gal tank and a Marineland Magniflow 360 canister filter with a large tray of bio balls and another tray of ceramic rings for bacteria growth. When I switched to this tank, I did not use enough of the old tank water as I lost the cycle. It's been 45 days and I have nothing but ammonia being produced that I have to control through weekly water changes. I ordered more of your nitrifying bacteria, but I have a question regarding the most effective way to deploy it. Would it be a good idea to turn off the filter and pour the solution directly onto the bio media and then leave the filter sit for a few days so the bacteria can get fully established within the bio media?Also, can there be too much ammonia in the water when the nitrifying bacteria is added? I am able to keep my tank between 1 and 4ppm ammonia through water changes.Last time I had this problem, I went on for well over three months trying to get my tank to cycle, and it's looking like I am back on that same course again. If you think my filter is not good for bio filtration, please let me know--as expensive as it was you'd think it would be functional. Any other suggestions would be greatly helpful.
Either - we have One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria for freshwater and saltwater (also for Reef tanks which is the same as the saltwater product). And fishless cycling works on either system. In fact, many people prefer to fishless cycle their saltwater tanks as catching the 'starter' fish can be very hard with all the live rock.
Yes. you need to 'feed' the bacteria something and get the process going and make sure you have working bacteria before adding fish. Unless you want to gamble that everything is ok.
I have a 210 gallon tank (saltwater) that I will be cycling using these products when they arrive in the mail. Will it hurt for me to put the “clearing” packet in the water that came in the bags of sand? Will it mess with the bacteria or cycling if I add both your products and the clearing packet to aid in the cloudy water?
hi Dr. Tim, today i started the tank with your product and i use of course one and only. after few hours i tested for ammonia nitrate ecc and all value are 0, how can i understand when my tank will be cycled and so i can add more fish in my tank?
Hi, Dr.Tim thank you for your videos and guides they are very helpful for people like me who just started their first aquarium.I was wondering on one of your guides, A quick guide to fishless cycle it says if i am using the one and only live nitrifying bacteria I should turn skimmer, UV and ozone off and remove filter socks for 48 hours. So should I also turn off the filter and the heater as well?
Not sure your point - unlike other companies we do not say you need to add nitrifiers every week to 'rebalance' your tank. Your water conditions will tell you when you might have to add something.
im starting a fishless cycle in my tank using bottled bacteria and ammonia. my water has a PH of around 6.8, will this greatly affect the cycling process? ive heard you ideally need a PH of 7 upwards
Yes, a pH below 7.5 and especially below 7 will cause an extended cycling period. At first add just 1 drop of the ammonia per gallon. Are you using a special plant soil?
@@DrTimsAquatics actually one last question, before putting the initial comment I had already gotten the ammonia up to 2ppm, will this be okay since you said to just start off with a reduced dosage of 1 drop per gallon?
so I have a 10 galloon aquarium and I will buy a bottle of bacteria but I probably won't but the small bottle that you add the drops too because it said optional, about how long will it take if I do a fishless cycle, thanks
I have a 29 gallon saltwater aquarium that has live sand and will soon be a fish only tank (not a reef tank) I have let my tank cycle through the nitrogen cycle for about 9 days and the ammonia level is at approximately 0.5ppm. I just received my One and Only along with the Ammonium Chloride. Since the aquarium has gotten ammonia already in it, do I need to add any of the ammonium chloride along with the One and Only?
Hi, Thx for the video. If I added One & Only without adding fish immediately, would the bacteria die? What is the longest time I can wait between One & Only and fish adding? Thx.
The bacteria do not die. Without ammonia (or nitrite) they slowly lose energy (think of a rechargeable battery) but once ammonia is in the water they come out of hibernation (we are simplifying). As for how long you can wait - we recommend no more than 4 days or so.
Once a tank has cycled successfully, do you have to keep the filters running? I want to to turn my tank into a quarantine tank but do not want to keep it running as I do not know when I would be using it. Instead of keeping fish in it all the time and can feed the tank some fish food which should keep the good bacteria going.
786free1 Get a sponge filter and keep it in your main tank, when you need to use the QT tank move it over. You could do it how you mentioned, as well, but a sponge filter would allow you to not run the QT tank all the time.
Yes, you should your filter with filter media. Just turn on the UV and skimmer for the first 48 hours (if you have them) and remove any filter socks for 48 hours
I have followed your directions. My 55 gallon is now cycled. I added 4 drops per gallon and 0 ammonia and nitrites 24 hours later. I added two mollies to eat hair algae that has grown over the cycle. I wasn't sure how many fish I could add. How much bioload can a tank handle after cycling with your product. How long should I wait to add more? If in 24 hours I see no change in ammonia or nitrites, can I add a couple more fish and keep spacing out it until fully stocked?
It depends on the size of the fish and how much you feed but you should be able to add 10 - 15 mollie sized fish. Add some, measure ammonia/nitrite if low can add more. What the pH - if it drops below 7 change water
+Orlando Felix after 7 days, The Amm. reading 4.0 and nitrite 0, Don't go down, should I put more bacteria or change a little water?I made a 25% water change already and Amm is 4. What should I do now?My ph i7.2
saltwater is very different you can't use declorinator you need to buy RODI water, on average it can take about a month. Also, you shouldn't use any Immunization or vitamins not specifically designed for saltwater
Hey Dr. Tim. Just curious, how long can the bacteria from the one and only survive before putting in the ammonia drops? Unfortunately I got ahead of myself and put it in without having a bottle of the ammonia present.
With these shrimp many aquarists use a special soil and that soil leaches ammonia into the water for a fairly long time. Further, the soil will drop the pH of the water to below 6. These two conditions make it seem like the One & Only is not work but that is not the case. If these occur the One & Only will take longer to work. You can speed the process up some by adding more One & Only.
Hi, Dr.Tim’s I started a saltwater tank it’s 130Gallons. First day of cycle I Added one and only nitrifying bacteria (240ml) and added 15ml of Ammonia (300drops). And today sixth day I did a test in results ammonia is showing 2ppm and nitrite and nitrate are zero. I kept my lights off and no skimmer added yet. I added filter socks(225microns) on fifth day after adding nitrifying bacteria. So my question is do I need to wait longer or need to take any step? And my lights are off is that ok or they need to be on? Please advise me. Thanks 🙏
You can have plants but use 1/2 the drops. If you are using a special planting soil measure ammonia BEFORE adding the ammonia drops as many of those special soil leach ammonia into the water and you would not want to add the drops in these cases.
Hi Dr Tim!! I am starting a 15g peninsula build and i am goin to use carib sea fiji pink live sand with carib sea life rock...from my understanding they have live bacteria to assist with cycling the water ...would i be able to fishless cycle with your 2 products in this video or will it interfere with the live rock and sand? Lastly how do you feel about carib sea life rock ? Thanks !
Yes you can use our One and Only with the live sand and live rock. If you are doing a Fishless cycle measure ammonia BEFORE adding the ammonia drops as live rock can add ammonia to the water.
Hi Dr.Tim..I used One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria & ammonium chloride as per the instruction for my 20 gallon satlwater tank.. Now am in Day 2 and Ammonia is 2 ppm & Nitrite is 0 ppm.. Now should I again need to add ammonium chloride (4 drops per gallon ) ?
If you do everything in the video once ammonia and nitrite are 0 or low (less than 0.5) you can add some guppies. Or since guppies are very small you can just add the One & Only (DO NOT ADD AMMONIA) just add a few guppies. This is cycling WITH fish.
I used your ammonium chloride, 4 drops per gallon, but it does not showing any ammonia in the water using my test kit, is it instant or we need to wait few days to see readings of ammonia?
Yes, especially one week in. Usually ammonia will disappear between days 7 and 10. Also realize that if you have nitrite in the water then your nitrate test will always show a positive value because when doing the NITRATE test any nitrate is first converted to NITRITE and measured. So if your water already has nitrite it would show up when using the nitrate test.
Hi dr.Tim. I set up my saltwater tank 16 days ago, and in the first week, I add ammonia chloride two times. The ammonia was over 2ppm the first week. Today I checked the ammonia, after 16 days, the ammonia is 1ppm. Do I need to add ammonia chloride for the third times? I want to ensure that my tank is properly set up.
I source my aquarium water from our reverse osmosis purifier in the kitchen. Am I correct that it is devoid of essential minerals and pretty much anything other than H2O? Does this mean I should add sea salt to my fresh water aquarium as part of the set up?
+rickerwill2 No you do NOT add sea salt. You need to add a freshwater salt. Believe SeaChem makes one or two. The choice of what freshwater salt to use depends upon what type of fish are you going keep.
+DrTimsAquatics, thanks for the quick response! Our community is mostly just mollies, platties, guppies and such, with occasional gouramis, loaches and angels. I will look into the SeaChem products.
hey Dr tim i am fishless cycling my tank now... i saw on your website that it says after 2016 to add 4 drops per gallon of the ammonia but in your video you say only one drop per gallon of ammonia so which one is it ? I just saw your pinned coment i just want to confirm that its 4 drops per gallon now just to be safe before i get started
Hi Dr. Tim, I have one question and hope you can help me out. I am quarantine my goldfish and I pour about half of the bottle of one and only bacteria into my 40 litres tank in day1. I live my filter running and heater on at 24 degrees. I feed my goldfish only once a day. On day 4, I checked ammonia 0.25, nitrite 0 and nitrate 0. I also added praziquantel on day 4 to deworm my new goldfish. I researched that praziquantel won't hurt the filter bacteria. My question is can I use Dr. Tim one and only bacteria with blue planet tapeworm and flukes tablets (praziquantel)? thanks Doctor.
Hi Dr Tim Can I add one and only without the ammonia chloride into my new bare tank for cycling then introduce fish after 7 days? Your product sold in Singapore I seen got 8 oz and 16 oz My tank is 150gallon Will 8oz be enough? When adding one and only Can I pour the whole bottle of one and only over my filter media example biohome plus? Or into the fish tank? Can I filter with my filter running or I got to cycle the tank for 24hours to 36 hours with just the air pump on? Hope to hear from you soon with all these questions
You do NOT need to cycle with ammonia but bare-bottom tanks take longer to cycle since you do not have much surface area for the fish. The amount of One and Only should book for a few fish in a bare bottom tank
Dr. Tim, after waiting 4 days, finally my Amm.. and nitrite are 0 and 0,I added twice the ammonia 125 drops for my 125 aquar. Should I add again the 125 drops and wait for the process or Im ready for a 1/3 change of water and ready for fish?
I have heard many things about adding bacteria in yourself with products. Ive heard they dont stay alive and you basicly be pouring dead bacteria into the water. I need to cycle quickly as I have fish in a seperate tank thats uncycled waiting for me to cycle this tank (i found out about cycling after I bought the fish.) Am I garunteed the bacteria will work and will it speed things up?
There is no absolute guarantee because there are other factors that effect the bacteria and so success. People who say the bacteria can't live in a bottle etc. have no knowledge about bacteria. Bacteria are not human being - bacteria do not have to be fed every day and they do not need oxygen to live because they do not have lungs. If you follow the directions and have substrate in your tank (so the bacteria have a place to attach) you have a 99%+ chance of success.
Cycling with fish is easiest and quickest - with just a few fish. Good fish are damsels and the most any tank raised fish. Here is a good link www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+1926
I've been having a real problem getting my tank to cycle. Ammonia continually increases, nitrites and nitrates remain zero. I thought I would try your One and Only solution. It's been five days. Ammonia was 1ppm when it started now it is 4ppm. I put in some ammonia detoxifier to protect the single 5" goldfish in my 20g tank while allowing the bacteria ample ammonia to establish their colony. According to your videos and material it seems as though I should see results already. Any suggestions before I do another series of aggressive water changes to control ammonia?
The tank has rocks on the bottom. The filter is an EX 20, basically a 20 gallon filter with a plastic insert containing a series of brush-like circles for the bio-filtration. I had to change 50% water. The ammonia continues to climb regularly: 4 ppm ammonia, 0 Nitrites, 0 nitrates, 7.5 PH. Can't crack this nut.
Small crushed rock is in the bottom if the tank along with one large rock that lies atop. I think your comment about the EX20 is probably the source of my issues. It's either that or there is something in the tap water that is killing the beneficial bacteria. I will get a new, oversized pump. Is there a type of bio filter that works best? Perhaps one with Foam? I will get the new pump and order another round of your bacteria. Maybe that will get things started.
Assume you are pre-treating the tap water. Tap water contains chloramines to kill bacteria in the water so you have to use a product like our AquaCleanse or First Defense first before adding the One & Only.
I have a question, I want to keep discus fish in a planted aquarium, and I need to gravel wash every two days so the water won't be toxic. Can I do that and still maintain my biological filter from the one and only?
If you vacuum with a strong siphon it might affect the filter but a regular wash will not and will help the biological filter because it allows oxygen to get deeper into the filter by cleaning out the dirt
Why is my nitrifying bacteria colourless even after shaking ? Does this mean this bottle might be expired ? (Last time I bought , it was pale yellowish colour)
If I decide to put Ammonium chloride, to cycle without fish, how long do I have to wait to introduce the first fish? Would I have to do a nitrite test? And if it gives zero is that I finish the cycle? The aquarium will be marine (fowlr) of approx 1200 liters. how many bottles i need? thanks
You have to wait until the ammonia and resulting nitrite are gone before you can add fish. So yes you really need to have a nitrite test to make sure the water is safe for the fish. Need 16 oz bottle of One & Only.
i brought Dr. Tim's Aquatics Ammonium Chloride Solution for fishless cycle i keep checking for my ammonia reading and it shows 0ppm i added the whole bottle in and still shows 0ppm? am i gettng a defective bottle?
When the ammonia level is too high your test kits will not read correct. Testing right out of the bottle or adding a while bottle to a small tank will result in a super high ammonia level and your test kit can't measure that.
is it true to its name. one and only. been fishless cycling for 2 weeks now and need to speed it up. once i buy and add one and only do i have to continue to add it after the initial dose. i have already added de chlorinator & stress solutions
It kinda of depends on the water quality of your well water but since it would be chlorine free use some First Defense and the One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria.
No the nitrifying bacteria should not smell like rotten eggs. The rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulfide which is deadly to the nitrifying bacteria. We do not recommend using that bottle.
Now this to a total new starter gives the impression that if you just add the products shown in the video relative to your size aquarium of course, that the tank is then cycled! But it isn't is it! Especially with fishless cycling. Why is there not a single video that shows the process of fishless cycling. I have search youtube, and all i can find are video that talk about Ammonia, nitrate to nitrite cycle and talk about adding an ammonia source, test the water and once they show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrates then you're good to go. But no one talks about what if they don't show that, how long to cycle for and much more that goes along with it.
Keshia Decker The more you add the better If it's 30 gallons or under You need to add the whole bottle Overdosing it is impossible If the tank is 30-60 gallons get the 4 oz. instead of the 2 If it's 60-120 gallons get the 8 oz. and add the whole bottle
No - do not turn off the filter. If you have filter sock remove it. If you have a UV - turn is off, If you have a protein skimmer - turn it off. BTW: to learn what a filter sock is please check out DrTim's blog here www.drtimsaquatics.com/filter-socks-remove-from-aquarium-when-cycling
When you can add 1 drop per gallon of the ammonia solution and 24 hours later there is no ammonia and no nitrite it is safe to add fish. Usually this takes about 6 days.
+Jason Webers There is no chlorine (Cl-) produced. When ammonium chloride dissociates the chloride does not become chlorine. Google how chlorine is made - more complex than that.
Are your "nitrifying bacteria" the obligates actually found in aquariums, or just another facultative bacteria like all the other products on the market?
Iknow789 Our One and Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria is composed of 100% nitrifying bacteria that were originally isolated from aquariums. FYI, the terms obligate and facultative don't apply to nitrifying bacteria.
I don't doubt that they were collected and isolated from aquariums, I've seen plenty of bacterial blooms when the biofilter isn't working correctly so I know the bacteria I suspect you are selling are in aquariums. Are these nitrospira(or nitrosomonas) and nitrobacter? I'm curious, what reason do you have for claiming that nitrifying bacteria can't be classified based on their respiration?
Iknow789 Obviously you haven't bothered to actually read up on our company and the peer-reviewed published research on nitrifying bacteria in aquaria that our founder DrTim has done. You can find this on our website www.drtimsaquatics.com under resources. The reason obligate and facultative don't apply to nitrifying bacteria is that ALL nitrifiers are obligate aerobes.
I've skimmed them and they appear to be market driven research papers, though I've also read enough to know that your claim that all nitrifying are obligate aerobes is false and that most of them are facultative anaerobes. I also know what the main component of an aquariums biofilter should look like with the brownish-red scum and I have yet to see a product that has even a hint of that in their bottles, and that a secondary component will turn the water milky white if the colonies in the filter are underperforming, which every single bottled bacterial starter does. So again, are the bacteria in the bottles actually nitrospira/nitrosomonas and nitrobacter, or are they a pseudomonas or bacillus?
Oh, and when I say market driven I don't mean the papers themselves I mean the way they are presented. It seems like a sly attempt to imply that it's the bacteria that are well known by hobbyists to play the major role in denitrification without ever actually saying that's what they are. I don't mean to be combative, I really want a product like this to be legit but I am suspicious. So if you could answer me directly, without the sleight of hand I'd greatly appreciate it.
If using tank water you still to add One and Only because the nitrifying bacteria do not live in the water - they live on surfaces. There are very few nitrifying bacteria in the water.
Fishless cycling is a way to establish a large viable colony of the nitrifying bacteria before adding fish to your aquarium so that your fish never experience high ammonia or nitrite - which is commonly called new tank syndrome.
+l.K.A Using bottled spring water or equivalent is fine. Do not use distilled or deionizes water unless you plan to add back seasalts (for a saltwater aquarium) or freshwater salts (for a freshwater tank).
NOTE as of 2016 - use 4 drops of ammonium chloride per gallon of aquarium water. The old formula was 1 drop per gallon will work - there is not wrong dosage. Use what the directions on the bottle you have says.
Hi Dr.Tim, I set up my saltwater tank 26 days ago by using first defence, one and only and ammonia chloride. I added ammonia chloride three times within this period. Ammonia level comes down to near zero, but nitrite doesn’t come down. What should I do?
Thanks
@@Nik.sadeghi check your alkalinity and change some water with disturbing the substrate.
DrTimsAquatics KH : 2,75 M.L
Sorry to be off topic but does anybody know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account?
I was dumb forgot the password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me.
@Callen Adan Instablaster =)
Hello Dr. Tim, I wanted to say that your One and Only Nitrifying bacteria is astounding; they have helped me tremendously with my aquarium. A great product for those who want to cycle their tanks within a week. I do have a question, though: Does it make a difference to add the bacteria to the filter, instead of the tank? I've read that the filter is the central area where most of the bacteria thrives in.
Thank you for the nice words. Whether to add the bacteria to your filter or the tank depends on the filter you have. I suggest adding to the tank. The bacteria will find places to grow. Why I do not always recommend the filter is that most times the filter will get dirty quickly when first setting-up a tank and people will naturally want to clean it. If you have added all the bacteria directly in the filter you wish throwing away a lot of goof bacteria when you clean the filter. So better to get some bacteria in the substrate and some in the filter - basically spread the bacteria around!
After completing a fishless cycle for a marine tank my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates zero. Do I need to do a water change before adding fish? Just nervous about the ammonia cholride. Is it totally gone?
Your recipe for fishless cycling from your website does not mention using Aqua Cleanse, just First Defense, before adding the One & Only. Are both necessary, or is First Defense sufficient to treat the new tank water?
When he dumped the whole bottle of the bacteria solution, my jaw dropped.
+Uniqu3 One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria is completely non-toxic and there is no reason to save any in the bottle so best to pour the entire bottle into the tank. It does not help you in the bottle.
+DrTimsAquatics so I'm planning on having a nano planted tank, about 3 gallon tank, would I need to pour the whole one and only as well?
+Uniqu3 Unless you are setting up another tank there is no need save the One & Only and is 100% non-toxic so yes pour the whole bottle in.
Two years ago, your product helped me cycle a tank after I figured out that I needed a better filter. Now, I have a 75-gal tank and a Marineland Magniflow 360 canister filter with a large tray of bio balls and another tray of ceramic rings for bacteria growth. When I switched to this tank, I did not use enough of the old tank water as I lost the cycle. It's been 45 days and I have nothing but ammonia being produced that I have to control through weekly water changes. I ordered more of your nitrifying bacteria, but I have a question regarding the most effective way to deploy it. Would it be a good idea to turn off the filter and pour the solution directly onto the bio media and then leave the filter sit for a few days so the bacteria can get fully established within the bio media?Also, can there be too much ammonia in the water when the nitrifying bacteria is added? I am able to keep my tank between 1 and 4ppm ammonia through water changes.Last time I had this problem, I went on for well over three months trying to get my tank to cycle, and it's looking like I am back on that same course again. If you think my filter is not good for bio filtration, please let me know--as expensive as it was you'd think it would be functional. Any other suggestions would be greatly helpful.
Hello - there is some old version of ammonia still out there. Use 1 drop as the bottle says.
Either - we have One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria for freshwater and saltwater (also for Reef tanks which is the same as the saltwater product). And fishless cycling works on either system. In fact, many people prefer to fishless cycle their saltwater tanks as catching the 'starter' fish can be very hard with all the live rock.
Yes you can. If the ammonia or nitrite levels are above 5 mg/L-N you should do a water change to get the levels below 5 mg/L-N.
where's your website that fish less cycling thing sounds alot better then having to go back to the store for replacement fish
Ok Dr Tim how about if we're using seeded media and live rock? Still add ammonia?
Yes. you need to 'feed' the bacteria something and get the process going and make sure you have working bacteria before adding fish. Unless you want to gamble that everything is ok.
Dr Tim's one only works like a charm!
I am confused with your nitrifying bacteria.. I do have a 2 oz one and only, is it 2 capfuls for 10 gallon or i just dump everything in it?
Where to get the one and only ???
available almost Worldwide - where do you live?
Should I leave pumps on ?
I have a 210 gallon tank (saltwater) that I will be cycling using these products when they arrive in the mail. Will it hurt for me to put the “clearing” packet in the water that came in the bags of sand? Will it mess with the bacteria or cycling if I add both your products and the clearing packet to aid in the cloudy water?
Yes most likely it would delay the cycle as the cleaning packet contains bacteria and/or chemicals that will interfere with the nitrifying bacteria.
While doing all these stuff , should the filter be switched on all day ??
Yes leave the filter on and the filter pad in the filter.
Can you add the bacteria directly in your canister filter if it’s only filled with matrix bio material ?
yes
hi Dr. Tim,
today i started the tank with your product and i use of course one and only.
after few hours i tested for ammonia nitrate ecc and all value are 0, how can i understand when my tank will be cycled and so i can add more fish in my tank?
Hi, Dr.Tim thank you for your videos and guides they are very helpful for people like me who just started their first aquarium.I was wondering on one of your guides, A quick guide to fishless cycle it says if i am using the one and only live nitrifying bacteria I should turn skimmer, UV and ozone off and remove filter socks for 48 hours. So should I also turn off the filter and the heater as well?
Thanks. Do NOT turn the filter and heater. Also do not clean the substrate for several weeks as that can remove the bacteria.
Lol and if it's a Monday, we do this bottle, and if it's a Tuesday, buy this bottle.. love the white coat too, nice touch.
Not sure your point - unlike other companies we do not say you need to add nitrifiers every week to 'rebalance' your tank. Your water conditions will tell you when you might have to add something.
im starting a fishless cycle in my tank using bottled bacteria and ammonia. my water has a PH of around 6.8, will this greatly affect the cycling process? ive heard you ideally need a PH of 7 upwards
Yes, a pH below 7.5 and especially below 7 will cause an extended cycling period. At first add just 1 drop of the ammonia per gallon. Are you using a special plant soil?
@@DrTimsAquatics I'm just using an inert substrate, black gravel
@@niallstruthers2184 alright, just be patient - low pH means longer to cycle
@@DrTimsAquatics alright I can do that, cheers for the quick replies. Much appreciated.
@@DrTimsAquatics actually one last question, before putting the initial comment I had already gotten the ammonia up to 2ppm, will this be okay since you said to just start off with a reduced dosage of 1 drop per gallon?
For my second dose(half or full) of ammonia, do I need to wait nitrite gets to 0 or 1ppm is fine(when ammonia at 0)?
so I have a 10 galloon aquarium and I will buy a bottle of bacteria but I probably won't but the small bottle that you add the drops too because it said optional, about how long will it take if I do a fishless cycle, thanks
Hey Dr Tim. So my ammonia is now 0 but my nitrite is about 2 ppm ... should I leave it alone or add another 2ppm of ammonia to the tank? It’s day 11
I have a 29 gallon saltwater aquarium that has live sand and will soon be a fish only tank (not a reef tank) I have let my tank cycle through the nitrogen cycle for about 9 days and the ammonia level is at approximately 0.5ppm. I just received my One and Only along with the Ammonium Chloride. Since the aquarium has gotten ammonia already in it, do I need to add any of the ammonium chloride along with the One and Only?
Hi, Thx for the video. If I added One & Only without adding fish immediately, would the bacteria die? What is the longest time I can wait between One & Only and fish adding? Thx.
The bacteria do not die. Without ammonia (or nitrite) they slowly lose energy (think of a rechargeable battery) but once ammonia is in the water they come out of hibernation (we are simplifying). As for how long you can wait - we recommend no more than 4 days or so.
hello dr tim. can i use salt water from saltmix water salt maker not from natural sea water ?
I hear "cycling jump starters" will stop the tank to completely cycle. Is this the same for one and only?
Is it matter to put ammonia in first before the nitrifying bacteria?
Once a tank has cycled successfully, do you have to keep the filters running? I want to to turn my tank into a quarantine tank but do not want to keep it running as I do not know when I would be using it. Instead of keeping fish in it all the time and can feed the tank some fish food which should keep the good bacteria going.
786free1 Get a sponge filter and keep it in your main tank, when you need to use the QT tank move it over. You could do it how you mentioned, as well, but a sponge filter would allow you to not run the QT tank all the time.
Iknow789 Of course, this doesn't work if the main tank is contaminated with parasites or bacteria as the sponge filter would contain these organisms.
Would it be the same for a planted tank?
Can I just use the one and only and the ammonia and that’s it when it comes to setting up the tank? Do I even need the first 2 products?
You need chlorine/chloramine free water. Then you add the One and Only and either a few fish OR the ammonia drops.
Once you put in that bacteria do you have to again everytimr you change the water
Should you run the filter while your doing the fishless cycle with the all in one?
Yes, you should your filter with filter media. Just turn on the UV and skimmer for the first 48 hours (if you have them) and remove any filter socks for 48 hours
I have followed your directions. My 55 gallon is now cycled. I added 4 drops per gallon and 0 ammonia and nitrites 24 hours later. I added two mollies to eat hair algae that has grown over the cycle. I wasn't sure how many fish I could add. How much bioload can a tank handle after cycling with your product. How long should I wait to add more? If in 24 hours I see no change in ammonia or nitrites, can I add a couple more fish and keep spacing out it until fully stocked?
It depends on the size of the fish and how much you feed but you should be able to add 10 - 15 mollie sized fish. Add some, measure ammonia/nitrite if low can add more. What the pH - if it drops below 7 change water
Robert Marley; but Dr Tim says add 1 drop per gallon??
+Orlando Felix after 7 days, The Amm. reading 4.0 and nitrite 0, Don't go down, should I put more bacteria or change a little water?I made a 25% water change already and Amm is 4. What should I do now?My ph i7.2
For saltwater tank after adding this how long do you wait until you can add fish?
You have to wait until there is no ammonia and no nitrite
saltwater is very different you can't use declorinator you need to buy RODI water, on average it can take about a month. Also, you shouldn't use any Immunization or vitamins not specifically designed for saltwater
Thanks for videos.. you make starting a tank easy and fast for anyone.
Very simple directions, thank you
Do we turn on the heater during this? And how much percentage of a water change do we do after?
Yes turn the heater on - the bacteria work faster at warmer temperatures. Have 76 - 82 deg F. Change 33% of the water.
Thanks! 😃
Hey Dr. Tim. Just curious, how long can the bacteria from the one and only survive before putting in the ammonia drops? Unfortunately I got ahead of myself and put it in without having a bottle of the ammonia present.
You may not even have this account anymore, but I jumped ahead and put the ammonia in before having the bacteria present.. will that bother anything?
Do you have to wait longer for red cherry shrimp at all. Thanks in advance
With these shrimp many aquarists use a special soil and that soil leaches ammonia into the water for a fairly long time. Further, the soil will drop the pH of the water to below 6. These two conditions make it seem like the One & Only is not work but that is not the case. If these occur the One & Only will take longer to work. You can speed the process up some by adding more One & Only.
Is that soil miracle mud?
Hi, Dr.Tim’s I started a saltwater tank it’s 130Gallons. First day of cycle I Added one and only nitrifying bacteria (240ml) and added 15ml of Ammonia (300drops). And today sixth day I did a test in results ammonia is showing 2ppm and nitrite and nitrate are zero. I kept my lights off and no skimmer added yet. I added filter socks(225microns) on fifth day after adding nitrifying bacteria. So my question is do I need to wait longer or need to take any step? And my lights are off is that ok or they need to be on? Please advise me. Thanks 🙏
Can I leave my hob filter on when I add one and only nitrifying bacteria it is a fluval c2 or should I turn all filters and lights off
filter on, light on for 8 hours off for 16 hours
Can I have plants in the tank if I do the fishless cycling with the ammonia or should I wait to put plants in once the tank is completely cycled?
You can have plants but use 1/2 the drops. If you are using a special planting soil measure ammonia BEFORE adding the ammonia drops as many of those special soil leach ammonia into the water and you would not want to add the drops in these cases.
Put the plants in after the cycle in completed is probably the better approach.
Hi Dr Tim!! I am starting a 15g peninsula build and i am goin to use carib sea fiji pink live sand with carib sea life rock...from my understanding they have live bacteria to assist with cycling the water ...would i be able to fishless cycle with your 2 products in this video or will it interfere with the live rock and sand? Lastly how do you feel about carib sea life rock ? Thanks !
Yes you can use our One and Only with the live sand and live rock. If you are doing a Fishless cycle measure ammonia BEFORE adding the ammonia drops as live rock can add ammonia to the water.
@@DrTimsAquatics awesome ! Thanks so much. And the 2 oz bottle should be enough for my 15gallon tank correct?
Do we need to turn off filters for this
+Luis Velazquez No do not turn the filters off.
Hi Dr.Tim..I used One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria & ammonium chloride as per the instruction for my 20 gallon satlwater tank.. Now am in Day 2 and Ammonia is 2 ppm & Nitrite is 0 ppm.. Now should I again need to add ammonium chloride (4 drops per gallon ) ?
Download our step by step guide here store.drtimsaquatics.com/Recipes_ep_54-1.html
Wait until the ammonia is around 1 before adding more
What do you recommend is better doing a fishless cycle or is it ok to do what you done before adding the anomima?
Also if I do the fish tank without abomination can I wait for 24 hours before I add fish in or do I have to add fish in straight away.?
The simplest thing is to add a couple of fish and monitor the water.
You can wait 24-48 hours before adding fish.
So after doing all this minus the ammonia could I put guppies or something in right after or should I wait for a certain amount of time
If you do everything in the video once ammonia and nitrite are 0 or low (less than 0.5) you can add some guppies. Or since guppies are very small you can just add the One & Only (DO NOT ADD AMMONIA) just add a few guppies. This is cycling WITH fish.
just got your product i want to know how many drops of the amonia i put in my 10 gallon tall tank after i put the bacteria in god bless
40 drops
It's in stores right
I used your ammonium chloride, 4 drops per gallon, but it does not showing any ammonia in the water using my test kit, is it instant or we need to wait few days to see readings of ammonia?
Do you have any measurable nitrite or nitrate?
While cycling a new tank, is it normal for NH3,NO2 and NO3 to be in the water at the same time?
Cycle is only one week in
Yes, especially one week in. Usually ammonia will disappear between days 7 and 10.
Also realize that if you have nitrite in the water then your nitrate test will always show a positive value because when doing the NITRATE test any nitrate is first converted to NITRITE and measured. So if your water already has nitrite it would show up when using the nitrate test.
Hi dr.Tim.
I set up my saltwater tank 16 days ago, and in the first week, I add ammonia chloride two times. The ammonia was over 2ppm the first week. Today I checked the ammonia, after 16 days, the ammonia is 1ppm. Do I need to add ammonia chloride for the third times? I want to ensure that my tank is properly set up.
what is the nitrite - if below 1 yes add more ammonia
I source my aquarium water from our reverse osmosis purifier in the kitchen. Am I correct that it is devoid of essential minerals and pretty much anything other than H2O? Does this mean I should add sea salt to my fresh water aquarium as part of the set up?
+rickerwill2 No you do NOT add sea salt. You need to add a freshwater salt. Believe SeaChem makes one or two. The choice of what freshwater salt to use depends upon what type of fish are you going keep.
+DrTimsAquatics, thanks for the quick response! Our community is mostly just mollies, platties, guppies and such, with occasional gouramis, loaches and angels. I will look into the SeaChem products.
Thanks, Tim
hey Dr tim i am fishless cycling my tank now... i saw on your website that it says after 2016 to add 4 drops per gallon of the ammonia but in your video you say only one drop per gallon of ammonia so which one is it ? I just saw your pinned coment i just want to confirm that its 4 drops per gallon now just to be safe before i get started
Yes, 4 drops per gallons
@@DrTimsAquatics my ammonia is 1 ppm and my nitrite is 2 ppm now on day 9. Should I add another 2ppm of the ammonia at this point ?
Hi Dr. Tim, I have one question and hope you can help me out.
I am quarantine my goldfish and I pour about half of the bottle of one and only bacteria into my 40 litres tank in day1. I live my filter running and heater on at 24 degrees. I feed my goldfish only once a day. On day 4, I checked ammonia 0.25, nitrite 0 and nitrate 0. I also added praziquantel on day 4 to deworm my new goldfish. I researched that praziquantel won't hurt the filter bacteria. My question is can I use Dr. Tim one and only bacteria with blue planet tapeworm and flukes tablets (praziquantel)? thanks Doctor.
Should be ok but we have no experience with that exact product. Let's us know if you get a bump in ammonia/nitrite after adding the prazi - thanks!
Hi Dr Tim
Can I add one and only without the ammonia chloride into my new bare tank for cycling then introduce fish after 7 days?
Your product sold in Singapore
I seen got 8 oz and 16 oz
My tank is 150gallon
Will 8oz be enough?
When adding one and only
Can I pour the whole bottle of one and only over my filter media example biohome plus? Or into the fish tank?
Can I filter with my filter running or I got to cycle the tank for 24hours to 36 hours with just the air pump on?
Hope to hear from you soon with all these questions
You do NOT need to cycle with ammonia but bare-bottom tanks take longer to cycle since you do not have much surface area for the fish. The amount of One and Only should book for a few fish in a bare bottom tank
First the units are mg/L-N not ions so 5 mg/L is pretty high. Plus they don't HAVE to be below 5 mg/L-N
Dr. Tim, after waiting 4 days, finally my Amm.. and nitrite are 0 and 0,I added twice the ammonia 125 drops for my 125 aquar. Should I add again the 125 drops and wait for the process or Im ready for a 1/3 change of water and ready for fish?
+Orlando Felix best to add ammonia one more time
+DrTimsAquatics Thanks I will do it.
I have heard many things about adding bacteria in yourself with products. Ive heard they dont stay alive and you basicly be pouring dead bacteria into the water. I need to cycle quickly as I have fish in a seperate tank thats uncycled waiting for me to cycle this tank (i found out about cycling after I bought the fish.) Am I garunteed the bacteria will work and will it speed things up?
There is no absolute guarantee because there are other factors that effect the bacteria and so success. People who say the bacteria can't live in a bottle etc. have no knowledge about bacteria. Bacteria are not human being - bacteria do not have to be fed every day and they do not need oxygen to live because they do not have lungs. If you follow the directions and have substrate in your tank (so the bacteria have a place to attach) you have a 99%+ chance of success.
Hi Dr Tim
I add one and only and ammonia chloride for fishless cycling
Now I see alot of white stuff on the bottom of the tank
Is this normal
Yes it is normal
If i have a 20 gallon extra high fish tank,can i do a fish cycle and not a fish less cycle?Also what is the best saltwater fish for this?
Cycling with fish is easiest and quickest - with just a few fish. Good fish are damsels and the most any tank raised fish. Here is a good link
www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+1926
I have a 3 gallon tank for a betta fish. How much aqua cleanse should I use?
5 ml or 1 teaspoon. Make up the water in another container, stir and then add to the betta tank/bowl
I've been having a real problem getting my tank to cycle. Ammonia continually increases, nitrites and nitrates remain zero. I thought I would try your One and Only solution. It's been five days. Ammonia was 1ppm when it started now it is 4ppm. I put in some ammonia detoxifier to protect the single 5" goldfish in my 20g tank while allowing the bacteria ample ammonia to establish their colony. According to your videos and material it seems as though I should see results already. Any suggestions before I do another series of aggressive water changes to control ammonia?
Is your tank bare-bottomed? What's the filtration? Do not overdose with the ammonia removing chemical that will just make things worse.
The tank has rocks on the bottom. The filter is an EX 20, basically a 20 gallon filter with a plastic insert containing a series of brush-like circles for the bio-filtration. I had to change 50% water. The ammonia continues to climb regularly: 4 ppm ammonia, 0 Nitrites, 0 nitrates, 7.5 PH. Can't crack this nut.
rocks as in big rocks or crushed coral on the bottom. The EX 20 does not have a good place for the nitrifiers to become established.
Small crushed rock is in the bottom if the tank along with one large rock that lies atop. I think your comment about the EX20 is probably the source of my issues. It's either that or there is something in the tap water that is killing the beneficial bacteria. I will get a new, oversized pump. Is there a type of bio filter that works best? Perhaps one with Foam?
I will get the new pump and order another round of your bacteria. Maybe that will get things started.
Assume you are pre-treating the tap water. Tap water contains chloramines to kill bacteria in the water so you have to use a product like our AquaCleanse or First Defense first before adding the One & Only.
I have a question, I want to keep discus fish in a planted aquarium, and I need to gravel wash every two days so the water won't be toxic. Can I do that and still maintain my biological filter from the one and only?
+Yasser Al-Ali when you say wash - do you mean light siphoning or what? A gentle 'washing' is fine and One & Only will maintain your filter
+DrTimsAquatics well, I ment vacume 😅 sorry. But will the biological filter be affected by the vacume?
If you vacuum with a strong siphon it might affect the filter but a regular wash will not and will help the biological filter because it allows oxygen to get deeper into the filter by cleaning out the dirt
+DrTimsAquatics ok, thank you very much
Would you use these same steps if its a carbon filter?
Assume you mean you have activated carbon in the filter? Then yes same steps
Will this work for Axolotls too?
Can i use this from 2 days setup. I dosed microbacter7 since day 1 is it ok to dose ammonia?
not sure of the question - you can use One and Only anytime
Why is my nitrifying bacteria colourless even after shaking ? Does this mean this bottle might be expired ? (Last time I bought , it was pale yellowish colour)
What was the data on the back of the bottle? Our bacteria is maybe brownish not really yellow.
If I decide to put Ammonium chloride, to cycle without fish, how long do I have to wait to introduce the first fish? Would I have to do a nitrite test? And if it gives zero is that I finish the cycle? The aquarium will be marine (fowlr) of approx 1200 liters. how many bottles i need?
thanks
You have to wait until the ammonia and resulting nitrite are gone before you can add fish. So yes you really need to have a nitrite test to make sure the water is safe for the fish. Need 16 oz bottle of One & Only.
if im fishless after I put all the stuff in do u immediately turn on the filter or do u wait a while?
Turn the filter on and leave it running.
i brought Dr. Tim's Aquatics Ammonium Chloride Solution for fishless cycle i keep checking for my ammonia reading and it shows 0ppm i added the whole bottle in and still shows 0ppm? am i gettng a defective bottle?
How long have you been checking it, because fi longer than two weeks than it means that the cycle is probably complete!
When the ammonia level is too high your test kits will not read correct. Testing right out of the bottle or adding a while bottle to a small tank will result in a super high ammonia level and your test kit can't measure that.
No it doesn't. It means the ammonia level is to high for the test kit to measure
Can you put this in if there are fish in tank already
Yes it is completely non-toxic. The water may get a little cloudy but that is a not a problem for the fish.
is it true to its name. one and only. been fishless cycling for 2 weeks now and need to speed it up. once i buy and add one and only do i have to continue to add it after the initial dose.
i have already added de chlorinator & stress solutions
No, you add it one time.
is this for fresh water or salt water?
Hi Dr.Tim.. Its been over a week but still my Ammonia is 2 ppm & Nitrite is 0 ppm.. what should I do now ?
Did you use live sand? Do a partial (22-33%) water change) but do not disturb the substrate.
@@DrTimsAquatics yes.. I used the live sand.. Sure I will do 30% water change..
I'm using well water for my 55 gallon tank what do you use for cycling well water through your tank.
It kinda of depends on the water quality of your well water but since it would be chlorine free use some First Defense and the One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria.
DrTimsAquatics A 55 gallon tank would require 55 drops of ammonia? How often would you do this in the fishless cycle?
Hello you can download step by step directions here
www.drtimsaquatics.com/information-center/recipes
Follow the directions found here
www.drtimsaquatics.com/information-center/recipes
Does the nitrifying bacteria smell like rotten eggs ? How to know if the bacteria is dead in the bottle due to not storing properly.
No the nitrifying bacteria should not smell like rotten eggs. The rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulfide which is deadly to the nitrifying bacteria. We do not recommend using that bottle.
Yes this will work for Axolotis
Now this to a total new starter gives the impression that if you just add the products shown in the video relative to your size aquarium of course, that the tank is then cycled! But it isn't is it! Especially with fishless cycling. Why is there not a single video that shows the process of fishless cycling. I have search youtube, and all i can find are video that talk about Ammonia, nitrate to nitrite cycle and talk about adding an ammonia source, test the water and once they show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrates then you're good to go. But no one talks about what if they don't show that, how long to cycle for and much more that goes along with it.
When use both can I add fish right after applying both bottles
Yes, but you should wait 15-30 minutes before adding fish.
@@DrTimsAquatics good to know when I try this I think ill wait a week then add fish
...... Can i add pods too after using one and only?
@@andretoles9505 yes you can
@@DrTimsAquatics thanks 👍
Hay what happens if your fish tank is less then 10 gallons Is there instructions on how much you need for like 5 gallons or 2.5 gallons?
You cannot overdose One & Only so get a 2 ounce bottle and add all of it after shaking.
Keshia Decker
The more you add the better
If it's 30 gallons or under
You need to add the whole bottle
Overdosing it is impossible
If the tank is 30-60 gallons get the 4 oz. instead of the 2
If it's 60-120 gallons get the 8 oz.
and add the whole bottle
Correct - add the whole bottle. No reasons to save it.
DrTimsAquatics
I love fish keeping
You shouldn't overdose on conditioner all the other ones are fine
How long do you do this
i need to turn the filter on when doing this correct?
No - do not turn off the filter. If you have filter sock remove it. If you have a UV - turn is off, If you have a protein skimmer - turn it off. BTW: to learn what a filter sock is please check out DrTim's blog here www.drtimsaquatics.com/filter-socks-remove-from-aquarium-when-cycling
Should I still use the entire 2 oz bottle of bacteria for a 5 gallon tank ?
+Robert Coups Yes
After all these steps are taken how long should you wait before you put the fish in the tank..~~ ~ ~ ~~~
When you can add 1 drop per gallon of the ammonia solution and 24 hours later there is no ammonia and no nitrite it is safe to add fish. Usually this takes about 6 days.
Is that ammonia stuff 100% pure?
Why would you use ammonium chloride? wouldn't the chlorine kill the bacteria after it unbinds from the ammonium?
+Jason Webers There is no chlorine (Cl-) produced. When ammonium chloride dissociates the chloride does not become chlorine. Google how chlorine is made - more complex than that.
Where can I buy the nitrifing bacteria?
ChrisTheKidGames Local stores, Drs Foster & Smith, Amazon
Are your "nitrifying bacteria" the obligates actually found in aquariums, or just another facultative bacteria like all the other products on the market?
Iknow789 Our One and Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria is composed of 100% nitrifying bacteria that were originally isolated from aquariums. FYI, the terms obligate and facultative don't apply to nitrifying bacteria.
I don't doubt that they were collected and isolated from aquariums, I've seen plenty of bacterial blooms when the biofilter isn't working correctly so I know the bacteria I suspect you are selling are in aquariums. Are these nitrospira(or nitrosomonas) and nitrobacter? I'm curious, what reason do you have for claiming that nitrifying bacteria can't be classified based on their respiration?
Iknow789 Obviously you haven't bothered to actually read up on our company and the peer-reviewed published research on nitrifying bacteria in aquaria that our founder DrTim has done. You can find this on our website www.drtimsaquatics.com under resources. The reason obligate and facultative don't apply to nitrifying bacteria is that ALL nitrifiers are obligate aerobes.
I've skimmed them and they appear to be market driven research papers, though I've also read enough to know that your claim that all nitrifying are obligate aerobes is false and that most of them are facultative anaerobes. I also know what the main component of an aquariums biofilter should look like with the brownish-red scum and I have yet to see a product that has even a hint of that in their bottles, and that a secondary component will turn the water milky white if the colonies in the filter are underperforming, which every single bottled bacterial starter does. So again, are the bacteria in the bottles actually nitrospira/nitrosomonas and nitrobacter, or are they a pseudomonas or bacillus?
Oh, and when I say market driven I don't mean the papers themselves I mean the way they are presented. It seems like a sly attempt to imply that it's the bacteria that are well known by hobbyists to play the major role in denitrification without ever actually saying that's what they are. I don't mean to be combative, I really want a product like this to be legit but I am suspicious. So if you could answer me directly, without the sleight of hand I'd greatly appreciate it.
What is you don’t use tap water and your water comes from your tank
If using tank water you still to add One and Only because the nitrifying bacteria do not live in the water - they live on surfaces. There are very few nitrifying bacteria in the water.
yes just ignore that assuming everything else about the tank and filtration is set-up and working
You say add 1 drop per gallon but the ammonia bottle says 4 per gallon.
Use what the bottle says. If the label says 1 drop us 1 drop, if the bottles says 4 drops use 4 drops
Should I turn off the bubbler , heater , and filter or can I leave them on
+christopher castillo leave them on
I just purchased your ammonia and the back label says to add 4 drops per gallon
Jose Medina same here. I just did the 4 drops per gallon.
what does fishless cycling do?
Fishless cycling is a way to establish a large viable colony of the nitrifying bacteria before adding fish to your aquarium so that your fish never experience high ammonia or nitrite - which is commonly called new tank syndrome.
Ive never seen your brand I hope I find it
What if you use bottled water
+l.K.A bottled water is fine as long as it is NOT RO or DI water unless you are setting up a saltwater tank and adding salts
+l.K.A Using bottled spring water or equivalent is fine. Do not use distilled or deionizes water unless you plan to add back seasalts (for a saltwater aquarium) or freshwater salts (for a freshwater tank).