DrTim Questions and Answers on things Aquarium
DrTim answers questions submitted by listeners on a variety of topics related to freshwater and saltwater tropical fish keeping - bacteria, filtration, water quality and more.
DrTim's Aquarium Podcast
Dr Tim discusses all things related to tropical, saltwater and reef aquariums. Aquarium biology and chemistry easily explained.
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Dr Tims Talk about Fish Food to HAAS (Heart of America Aquarium Society)
In this episode Dr Tim speaks to HAAS (Heart of America Aquarium Society) about fish food for freshwater and saltwater fish. He discuss the differences between fish and human dietary needs and why freshwater fish food, long term, is bad for saltwater fish. Also the special case of goldfish (hint they are missing something other fish have!) and more. Plus some questions and answers at the end.
DrTim's Aquatics - Questions and Answers
Dr Tim answers questions that we get from hobbyists via social media, email and other sources. Questions about cycling your tank, setting-up a new tank, fishless cycling with shrimp not ammonia, high ammonia and/or nitrite and more are covered in this Q & A session. If you have questions please contact us ( info@drtimsaquatics.com ) and we will answer them in another session. Follow us on social…
Dr Tim Answers Your Questions
Dr Tim answers questions that we get from hobbyists via social media, email and other sources. Questions about cycling your tank, setting-up a new tank, fishless cycling with shrimp not ammonia, high ammonia and/or nitrite and more are covered in this Q & A session. If you have questions please contact us ( info@drtimsaquatics.com ) and we will answer them in another session. Follow us on social…
Dr Tim does another Q & A
Dr Tim answers questions that we get from hobbyists via social media, email and other sources. Questions about cycling your tank, setting-up a new tank, fishless cycling with shrimp not ammonia, high ammonia and/or nitrite and more are covered in this Q & A session. If you have questions please contact us and we will answer them in another session.
Dr Tims Talks with Part 7 - CIchlid salts, Clamp Lamps and BeneFISHal DIY frozen Fish Food
In this episodes Dr Tim talks with Thomas Bertschy from ASF about the ASF cichlid salt which is great for getting your aquarium water to match the water quality characteristics of many cichlid habitats. Next, we talk with Dale Lewis from Reptile Systems about their all black ceramic Clamp Lamps. Finally, Dr Tim discusses the DrTim's Aquatics Bene-FISH-al® DIY frozen fish food - easy and quick to…
Dr Tims talk Part 6 - ASF Pumps with Thomas, the new Eco-Halogens with Dale and DrTims ReFresh
Dr Tim talks with Thomas from ASF about MX circulation pumps and then Dale with Reptile Systems talk about new Eco Halogens heat and light systems and Dr Tim ends with a discussion on ReFresh.
DrTim's talks with .... Part 5
Dr Tim talks with Dale Lewis of Reptile Systems about Infrared Heating for reptiles. Then Dr Tim discusses the ASF MX Pump range with Thomas Bertschy of ASF France. Finishing, Dr Tims talking about why you get DInoflagellates versus Cyanobacteria and how to get rid of them with better knowledge of water chemistry and using DrTim's Aquatics Re-Fresh and Waste-Away.
DrTim's talks with .... Part 4
Dr Tim is joined by Thomas Bertschy of @ASF about the ASF test kits and the importance of using test kits to maintain water quality and fish health. Then Dr Tim speaks with Dale Lewis of @Reptile Systems who talks out the New Dawn light systems for growing plants. Finishing Dr Tim talks about AquaCleanse our product to eliminate chlorine, chloramines and ammonia for your water and First Defense…
Dr Tim talks with .... Part 3
Dr Tim talks with Thomas from ASF about Reef Shots and Dale from Reptile Systems about the Ferguson Zone. Then Dr Tim explains the thinking behind the Waste-Away® Gels.
DrTim Talks with .... Part 2
Dr Tim talks salt production with Thomas from ASF and Ferguson Zone for Reptiles with Dale from reptile systems
DrTims Talk with ...Part 1 - Our Three Brands
Besides our Flagship DrTim's Aquatics Product we also help develop and then import and distribute products for Aquarium Systems France (ASF) and Reptile Systems. Who are these brands and what values do they represent ? Find out in the podcast.
2024 June Question and Answer
Do you have a question? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 05:46 - 1 - Does the Ammonium Chloride have a shelf life ? Stored how ? 07:34 - 2 - Does the AquaClense have a shelf life ? Stored how ? 10:17 - 3 - Biopellets and the waste away. 14:00 - 4 - One & Only Nitrifying storage at room temperature and in a 35 degree fridge 16:37 - 5 - Should I stop using carbon…
Toxicity in aquariums
Do you have a question? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 03:42 Intro 04:53 Acute vs chronic toxicity 06:12 Measuring toxicity 08:40 Freshwater vs Saltwater 12:05 Lisa Steiner Work Loss of Ammonia oxidase 15:56 Why do you experience a stall during cycling? 21:16 When to test 25:41 Nitrate is toxic 27:00 Chronic nitrate 38:09 Phosphate and the redfield ratio
May2024QandA
Do you have a question? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 04:39 - 1 - Age of fish 06:05 - 2 - Can I use bio media from another tank and One and Only at the same time to start a tank? Can I add the whole bottle of One and Only? 09:27 - 3 - Are mollies jumpers? Are they hardy fish? 11:50 - 4 - Help getting rid of algae in a tank with HIGH nitrates and phosphates…
April2024QA
Do you have a question? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 01:40 - 1 - I accidentally added too much Waste Away Gel to my tank. What steps do I need to take next? 04:10 - 2 - I have a Seachem Tidal 55 filter. This filter has a built in skimmer. Should I tape off the filter or leave as is? 05:08 - 3 - If the Prime is converting ammonia to ammonium, isn't ammonium…
Aquarium Microbiology
Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:53 Introduction 1:41 Define Biome 5:45 Microbiome of good vs bad 13:37 Invasive species 18:55 Is more diverse better 20:01 What does a microbiome analysis allow us to see
March Q&A #2
Do you have a question? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 05:31 - 1 - 40 gallon tank,I seeded with live sand and live rock that came from another tank 13:16 - 2 - Day 8 ammonia is almost gone. My nitrite is now reading 5ppm+ and my nitrates are hovering at around 80ppm. Is this a normal stage of the process and I need to be patient or should I do a water change?…
March 2024 Question and Answer
Do you have a question? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 05:31 - 1 - How do you lower nitrates quickly besides doing a water change? 13:16 - 2 - When I added One and Only, there was no "cloudiness". Is this ok/normal? 14:34 - 3 - My numbers stalled out on day 9 of my fishless cycle. Is this normal? 20:16 - 4 - How much One & Only do I use for these water changes?…
ASF and Reptile Systems
Do you have a question? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 01:33 History of ASF 6:23 Clownfish 6:55 Turning a passion into business 7:33 Our reason why 9:55 Product Testing 19:32 ASF and Reptile Systems warranties 21:35 Italian made pumps 25:19 Reef Shots 29:25 Where to find Reptile Systems and ASF products 33:43 New Reptile Systems products for the US market in…
Question and Answer Feb 2024
Do you have a question? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 10:43 - 1 - Is it ok to use Dr Tim’s First Defense when treating salt water fish with copper? 11:27 - 2 - Can I use eco balance and waste away at the same time to treat sludge? 16:41 - 3 - Is it ok to use ozone with your products? 20:21 - 4 - Are the menhaden, salmon, river shrimp and Gammarus in your…
Bacteria and winter weather
Do you have a story to share about your pond or aquarium and extreme weather? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:53 Intro 1:12 Things you should know about bacteria in aquariums 09:38 What products need the winter shipping kit 10:58 My product arrived and it’s slushy. Is it still good? 11:20 What to do with a frozen or slushy product 17:16 My tank is cycled, but…
Jan 24 QA
Do you have a question? Send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 1:14 - 1 - During the cycling process, do I run my return pump and keep it running? 02:42 - 2 - What size Waste-Away gel should I use in my Fluval 13.5? 05:51 - 3 - Day 25 of a fishless cycle. Am I cycled and do I need to do a 90% water change? 08:23 - 4 - Do I turn off my return pump when I add one and…
Coral Nutrition; Bacteria, it’s what corals want
Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:35 Introduction 01:27 Basic Coral Morphology 02:11 Different Feeding Strategies 04:15 Autotrophy 06:30 Photosynthesis 15:25 Heterotrophy 17:27 Direct uptake of seawater 24:10 Corals and amino acids 24:36 Coral nitrogen budget 29:11 Feeding Brine Shrimp 31:50 Bacteria, its what corals want 35:26 External feeding
December Q & A
Prescription Card for fishless cycling: https://www.drtimsaquatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FishlessCycling_prescription_recipe_Nov23.pdf Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:49 - 1 - Is it possible that the bacterial strains that are in One & Only have a higher affinity for certain kinds of substrates? Do you have a recommendation as to which media is best? 09:18 - 2 - Help cycling a 112 gallon…
Nov Q and A
Timestamps: 00:00 Start 1:52 - 1 - How much Only and Only would I need to get for a 100 gallon indoor stock tank with 8, 5 inch koi? How much product do I use for periodic water changes? Also, If I had to do a complete water change would that be like starting over and using the initial startup amount? 10:05 - 2 - Do the biopellets need to be seeded with Waste-Away or Refresh? At what point during…
Nitrification Rabbit hole
Article: https://www.drtimsaquatics.com/public-aquarium-and-aquaculture/nitrification-in-marine-aquaria/ Timestamps: 00:00 Start 3:30 Traditional view of Nitrification 5:28 What Bacteria Look like 8:29 Nitrification Classification 10:45 Winogradsky column 12:18 Microbiology 101 14:11 Culture Bias 17:41 Classic 2-Step Nitrification 26:15 Phylogenetics of Nitrifiers 34:29 Anammox 38:59 AOB-AOA…
October Question and Answer
If you have any comments or questions, please email us at info@drtimsaquatics.com Links: Dinoflagellates Prescription card PDF: https://www.drtimsaquatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Dinoflagellates_prescription_recipe.pdf Mack's Reef Dinoflagellates Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/259474048655429/ Timestamps: 00:00 Start 03:09 - 1 In regards to cycling a tank, wouldn't putting…
All about UV
This listener requested episode is about UV. If you have a topic you'd like to hear about or a question for Dr Tim, send us an email - info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:45 What UV stands for 06:25 What a UV is 06:56 UV lifetime 10:15 UV Exposure 12:23 What size and how long you should run a UV 16:17 When to run a UV 20:27 UV operation 25:04 Negative impacts of UV 28:01 UV and…
September Question and Answer
If you have questions you'd like answered, email us at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 2:06 -1. Does your Waste-Away /Refresh formula work to get rid of diatoms in addition to dinoflagellates? 5:12 -2. Question on cycling- "13 days into Fishless cycling a 125g using Marco Rocks. 8:06 -5. Where to place Waste-Away Gel and what size to use? 10:37 - 6. How to fix elevated ammonia…
Aquarium Biodiversity
If you have an questions or topics you would like to hear about, send us an email- info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:20 Introduction 1:48 How aquarium systems differ from septic systems 5:00 Why increased biodiversity is problematic 6:42 Bacteria and skimmers 11:37 Bacteria need a niche 12:25 Organic dosing makes cyano worse 16:10 Dinosaurs, bacteria, and changes 18:30 How to get…
August Q and A
If you have questions you'd like answered, send us a message- info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 4:28 - 1 Which 2 products from DTA are used for controlling dinoflagellates? 10:01 - 2 Does First Defense detoxify and remove the ammonia from tap water? 15:02 - 3 Why does One and Only have an expiration date and the other products don’t? 18:16 - 4 Cycling a 55 gallon tank. 23:17 - 5 Is…
Ponds
If you have any questions about ponds or another topic, send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 02:02 Baby koi 3:12 Formal Ponds 3:34 Natural Ponds 4:48 Choosing your level of pond maintenance 8:43 UV's on Ponds 33:46 Duckweed 35:30 Releasing plants and fish
JuneQ&A
If you have a question, email it to us at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 5:00 Lake Altaussee / Walter Munk Foundation update 7:30 - 1. 120L freshwater cycling question. 11:27 - 2. Does your ammonium chloride go bad? 12:06 - 3. Is my One and Only still good? And is this a single dose regime or do I apply that same dose for the first 7 days? Australian contact info:…
May Question and Answer
May question and answer episode. If you have a question you'd like answered, please send and email to info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps 0:00 Start 1:25 -1 Fishless cycle on a new tank using media from an existing system. Will I see nitrite or just ammonia drop? Does the seasoned media instantly pull the ammonia out? 4:52 -2 Can I dose Eco-Balance and Waste Away in my ATO water supply? 11:35 -3…
Denitrification
If you have any questions or a podcast topic you would like us to cover send us an email- info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 2:17 Where does nitrate come from? 3:10 How do I reduce nitrate? 7:51 Denitrification pathway 8:17 Heterotrophic denitrification 11:15 Bacterial processes 11:35 Potential problems 13:24 Denitrification process 14:04 Organic substances 14:23 Heterotrophic pros…
Special Freshwater Researchp
Links: Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans (WMFO): https://waltermunkfoundation.org/ Join us in supporting this research! : https://experiment.com/projects/establish-baseline-climate-science-to-support-sensitive-alpine-lake-ecological-management WMFO Instagram: @waltermunkfoundation Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:59 Greg Sinnett Ph.D. 2:06 Walter Munk's Contributions to science 5:44 What does Walter…
April Q & A
If you have a question for DrTim send us an email at info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 1:03- 1- Why is there no drop in ammonia and no nitrites? 4:18- 2- Newly Cycled tank with dinos and cynos. Would you recommend just a few doses of refresh or refresh and one and only or something else to recolonize the biome of the tank? 7:04- 3- Is it normal for the nitrates to come down without…
March Q & A
Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 1:27 - 1. Can I use One and Only along with Eco-Balance in my new tank? 3:40 - 2. Is it normal for a skimmer to go crazy after adding Waste-Away Gel? 5:05 - 3. Question about 19 days into a fishless cycle on a 120 gallon. 7:48 - 4. How long can the salt be stored for before it loses its values? 12:28 - 5. Can I use filter floss in place of a skimmer during the Re-fresh /…
Waste Away Gels
Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 5:55 Start 11:11 Dinos 13:55 How to raise nitrates and phosphates 19:11 Bacteria in the water column 20:26 Water from old tank into new tank 22:07 Growing Waste-Away 25:05 Types and Sizes of Waste-Away 26:53 Where to place gels 27:28 When to replace gels 28:02 Goo/slime on Gel 29:15 Are they reusable? 32:38 Best placement 37:34 Waste-Away gels with skimmers UVs 37:52…
Reef Evolution Salt
Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 1:59 What is sea salt? 7:26 Synthetic sea salt 12:14 Reef Evolution Sea Salt 17:26 Time to mix 21:45 IO/RC and how they compare to Reef Evolution 22:08 What's in Reef Evolution 26:45 Shipping and Packaging 32:42 Storage 34:46 Quality Analysis
Feb q&a
Do you have a question for DrTim? Send us an email- info@drtimsaquatics.com Timestamps: 00:00 - start 1:52 - 1 - A month after adding One and Only my ammonia is still up and I have 0 nitrites/nitrates. Please help. 7:02 - 2- My local fish store sold me the live sand and a couple pieces of live rock with Dr. Tim’s One and Only and said no need for fish yet or adding ammonia. They said it will take…
Talking with Aquatic Veterinarian Dr. Jessie Sanders
Timestamps: 00:00- Intro 00:42- Meet Dr. Sanders 3:31- Important factor in caring for a fish. 7:59- What to do if your fish is overweight. 8:51-Tumors in fish 10:30- Dosing the wrong thing 14:55- When should you call a fish vet 19:16- Caring for Koi 21:25- Quarantine- Why it's important and how you should do it 24:25- How to restart after a wipeout 29:15- Signs to look for 31:02- Fish CPR 34:23-…
January Q & A
Timestamps: 00:00 2:25 -1. Will I actually be able to see the bacteria swimming around as little tiny white things? 4:27 - 2. Can I dose hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with Re-fresh/Waste-Away at night for control over dinos? 6:23 - 3. I just added one & only to my marine fishless cycle Nano tank. Nitrite at 2.ppm & Ammonia at .25. Will this inhibit bacteria conversion & growth for a 6 day…
DecQA2
Timestamps: 00:00 -Intro 1:38 - Phosphate spike that lead to slime. Dosing Re-fresh and Waste-Away. Should I continue with waste away or refresh? 4:11- I am currently treating my fish with antibiotics. How long and how often should I be using the first defense? 7:08 - SPS reef using Waste-Away Gels that caused an outbreak and coral death. 10:06 - After dosing Re-Fresh and Waste-Away I still have…
Aquarium Keeping- Past, Present, & Future
Join us as we talk about the history of aquarium keeping, how things have changed (Did you know you used to be able to buy fish in department stores), what they are now, and ideas on what the future of fish keeping will be like.
December Q & A
Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:03 What material is Re-Mover PLUS? 2:35 Ammonia- 1 drop or 4 drops per gallon? 4:47 Cycling question about a 20 gallon tank. 8:12 How much One and Only to dose on a 10 gallon. 9:29 Can you explain the concept of pre-filters? 10:53 Bare bottom tank with nitrate and phosphate issues. 12:38 Freshwater Cycling question. 14:41 What are optimal conditions for nitrifying…
Bacteria in Aquariums
Timestamps: 00:00 Start 1:34 Intro 3:59 Introduction to bacteria 5:20 Autotrophs 6:02 Heterotrophs 12:33 Purple Non Sulfate Bacteria 25:57 PNSB 28:55 Nitrifiers crash 29:14 Corals eat Biofilm 32:46 Fuels
November Q&A
During this Q&A episode Dr. Tim answers the following questions: Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:26 - 1 - Do I need a skimmer when using waste away? 3:19 - 2 - Recognizing unfriendly bacteria, what beneficial bacteria are, and how do we promote the good ones? 7:04 - 3 - Help with cycling a 25 gallon reef tank. 10:04 - 4 - What is EPS? 12:10 - 5 - Suspended bio-media placement question. 14:05 -6 - TAN…
Planted Aquariums
This episode of the DrTim's Aquarium podcast, we talk about planted tanks. Timestamp: 00:00 Start 1:38 What is a planted tank 4:11 Cycling a planted tank 6:32 Order of placing things in the tank 9:11 C02 and pH 12:50 Setup steps recap 18:53 Small fish and cycling a planted tank 22:48 Trimming a planted tank 23:15 Time it takes to establish a planted tank 23:32 Linden Method 27:20 Cichlids and…