The Puffer Forum

RTR wrote:The time frame varies with the tank operator. If you overfeed and/or feed too often, the spkes will be bigger and longer. Then you have to do more water changes to keep the spikes under control.

And this applies to me having used dr Tim's as well right? How long after using it should I wait to check my water parameters?

Check morning and evening until you are 100% certain they are stable. Be prepared for spikes and large w/c.

bertie 83 wrote:Check morning and evening until you are 100% certain they are stable. Be prepared for spikes and large w/c.

Ok sounds good. That actually brings up another question, I just added the bottle of dr Tim's to my tank yesterday at around 6 pm. If I do a large water change, wouldn't that take out a lot of the bacteria I just put in the water? Or does it not work that way?

Yes it possibly would, on the flip side you need to keep your water ammo etc free. Your fish are the most important factor in your current situation. Water quality is your first priority

Did you have to add the entire bottle? If you didn't, you could maybe add a bit after each water change.

Or grab another bottle and add 1/2 each time

Unless the fish looked stressed out, just add Prime at 2x the strength & try to wait it out. The bacteria needs 24-28 hours to establish, before doing a WC.

Ok I need to get myself a bottle of prime, that's water conditioner but for saltwater right? I've just been using regular water conditioner but l'll get a bottle today. I did have to put the whole bottle in, so I'm out of luck there. The fish don't look stressed at all, so I think I'll be able to wait it out.

Prime is for all water types, amazing stuff, very highly concentrated

Ugh I'm upset it's been over 24 hours since I used dr Tim's in my tank and I just tested my water, and it still seems to read that there is ammonia in the water no nitrites or nitrates.

I added prime to the water and will do another test in the morning but I'm starting to get discouraged. :/ is it normal for this to happen? Shouldn't I have seen some change in water quality after 24 hours?

Don't be discouraged it is normal. Remember to double dose prime, if you get worried add some more,you can use up to 5x recommended dose safely. It will lock your ammo into a safer form giving you time whilst your tank establishes

As far as I know, Dr. Tims IS Biospira. I believe what happened is he bought the rights to it.

I don't think so. The Biospira patents are in his name, yes, but owned by his former employer. I believe he had other ideas/lines which were potentially easier to handle and less demanding in storage and then developed those. That would give him total freedom and control over the new lines which are marketed under his own name. He is not stupid man and would have surely seen the the value in that path.