I purchased a 2 ounce bottle for new new 29 gallon aquarium in order to shorten my fishless cycle. I added 2 ppm ammonia, and the One and Only to my tank. After three weeks, Nitrites had still not cleared. I tested daily, and kept my water parameters in line with the instructions every step of the way including temperature, PH, keeping both ammonia and nitrites under 5ppm so as to not stall the cycle, and the product did not speed up the fishless cycle. I contacted Dr. Tim, and below is an exact transcript from tha interaction:Customer 5/20/2012 8:55:40 AM Hello,
I have recently set up a new 29 gallon tank, and ordered a 2 oz bottle of One and Only with which to do a fishless cycle. I received the One and Only on May 1, and began the fishless cycle that day by adding the One and Only and 2ppm ammonia to the tank. As of today, 5/20, the tank is still not processing Nitrites. I have kept the water at a constant 84 degrees, and the PH at a constant 8.0.
I have posted requesting help on Cichlid-Forum in your forum there and have not received any response.
It appears that I am now on a regular fishless cycle, and that the One and Only has not helped speed the cycle in any way. The tank is now processing ammonia (as would be expected in a normal fishless cycle), the Nitrites never reached above 4 ppm because I have also been doing small water changes. There is nothing in the parameters of the water that would cause this slow down, other than the One and Only has not worked.
Therefore, I am requesting a refund of my purchase, plus shipping. The total I paid was $21.88, and my order number was 3d-120562.
Thank you, in advance, for your help.
Sincerely,
Robert Lewis
Staff (Administrator) 5/20/2012 1:20:24 PM
Dear Mr Lewis
Sorry to have not responded in the cichlid forum but we never received a notice that anyone has posted in the forum so did not know there was message. I have contacted the forum people to find out what the problem is.
As for the tank and processing a refund I am sorry but I cannot grant that request. There is no data to suggest that the process not working (according to you) is due to the product you control the process but adding ammonia (or not) and measuring nitrite is only one way to tell if the process is working or nor working.
Did you add more ammonia, did you measure nitrate etc etc. How did you set-up the tank etc etc.
Because of the high number of variables involved and the fact that every aquarium and aquarist is different we do not promise that the tank will cycle in xx number of days because again that is subjective. Our products work and we try hard to make everyone happy but we cannot be responsible for every case and situation.
Sincerely
DrTim
Customer 5/20/2012 1:39:12 PM
Hello,
I'm happy to provide any data you wish so that you are comfortable that this is not due to 'other variables'. It's not my first time setting up a tank. In fact, it's not even my first time setting up a tank with your product. I also take issue with the fact that you say that you don't say the tank will be cycled in xx number of days. The entire point of One and Only is to cycle a tank faster than it would have cycled on its own, so some timeframe in inherent in the purpose of the product. Additionally, in your literature explaining how to do a fishless cycle, you mention that most tanks will cycle 'within a week'.
I have added additional ammonia on three occasions. I have tested for both ammonia and Nitrite each day. I have done small water changes when it appeared Nitrite was nearing 4 ppm. I have maintained a PH of 8.0, I have maintained a temp of 84 degrees, I am using sponge filtration. The only things in the tank are rocks and crushed coral substrate.
I have used the clear ammonia available at Ace Hardware something that MANY people on Cichlid-Forum have also used. I tested to ensure that ammonia never went above 2ppm after adding to the tank.
I would be happy to go over any other variables you mention. I am asking for a refund because the cycle is likely to complete in the next several days to a week anyway without One and Only having sped the process at all.
Please let me know what information you would like, and I hope you will consider a refund, if for nothing else than to keep a customer that has bought from you in the past, and will likely buy from you in the future, and is active in a community that comprises a good portion of your core market.
Sincerely,
Robert Lewis
Customer 5/20/2012 1:41:06 PM
Additionally, I have not tested for Nitrate because I have been advised that testing for Nitrate when there are Nitrites in the water will likely give a false reading.
Customer 5/23/2012 11:10:39 AM
Hello?
Staff (Administrator) 5/23/2012 2:49:37 PM
Hello:
We have considered your request and we cannot comply. You choose to use the Ace Ammonia based on other's advice and not our ammonia. You controlled the amount of ammonia being added which will determine the amount of nitrite. And as you note we say "most" not every aquarium.
The fact is you have placed two orders with us and complained each time. We helped the first time by replacing the product which was surely not defective. For the second order you controlled the cycling time and you did not follow the directions.
Sincerely
DrTim
Customer 5/23/2012 3:10:06 PM
I truly do not understand your stance here. I followed the directions to the letter. How can you say I didn't follow the directions? I have offered to provide you with any additional data you wish. Instead of asking for this data, you chose to attack my methods without all of the information. Was I not to control the amount of ammonia I add to the tank? Of course I should, your statement in that regard doesn't even make sense! I dosed to 2ppm initially, waited for ammonia to clear, began measuring Nitrite daily, added additional ammonia to 1ppm two additional times over two weeks. I did small water changes if Nitrite approached 4ppm so as not to stall the cycle. I maintained proper temperature. I maintained proper PH. I used the appropriate amount of One and Only. Please explain to me how I did not follow directions? Please explain to me the error in my methodology? How you can even say that without appropriate data is beyond me.
Is your issue that I did not use your Ammonia Chloride, and used Ace instead? This product has been shown to be reliable by many others that have used it for fishless cycling, including those that have used One and Only.
Then you make a remark regarding our first transaction stating that your product was surely not defective in the first instance either!?
So, at the end of that first paragraph, are you saying that your product only works 'most' of the time? That's a tidbit I'm sure the community would certainly be interested in knowing so they can evaluate their purchase decisions with more information.
If you are unwilling to consider my request, then unfortunately, you've lost a customer. I'll also make every effort to evangelize this to as many people as I can. Regrettable, and avoidable.
Sincerely,
Robert Lewis
Staff (Administrator) 5/24/2012 7:05:25 AM
Here is the problem you think that because you did not get the results you expected that the product did not work.
But you have read many many accounts where it performed fine. So how did you get the one (or if you count both orders the two) that did 'not' work. Your whole thinking is that the product is defective not that maybe something you do or have done is the problem.
That is wrong. The product works fine the situation is that once the product gets into the user's hands the user can do many things that may reduce the effectiveness of the product things we cannot control. That is why we say 'most cases' because in most cases it will work despite what the user may or may not do. Please do not mis-state what we mean.
You choose to think that it should work no matter what you do and this is wrong.
So when you talk about the product just be sure to write the truth you did not follow the directions exactly and did not do everything perfectly.
Customer 5/24/2012 7:14:48 AM
And again, I ask you, what did I do wrong? And, how do you somehow feel I did not follow directions? I did follow the directions. I did keep the water parameters exactly as you state in your directions. I have given you details of what I did within this thread, can you pleae tell me what I did that is not according to your directions? I have offered to give you whatever data you wish on several occasions now, and instead of asking for it, you just make blanket judgements about my methodology rather than even acknowledge the possibility that perhaps your product did not perform as designed. I even suggested that perhaps your guidance on how much of your product to use for each tank size may need some adjustment, and you can't even bring yourself to consider that. I'm trying to be reasonable, and provide any information you request, you are just playing the blame game blame the customer for any problems that arise.
Staff (Administrator) 5/24/2012 7:23:04 AM
This conversation has become pointless I wish the best with your aquariums.
Good day
I returned to the store and told my story of woe to the helpful staff. They in turned explained cycling to me and I learn that while my tank look like an ideal home for guppies, the water itself was toxic. Beyond that quick lesson they could offer no help, but as I left the store with a water test kit in hand a young British man overhearing my store told me to look up "Dr Tim One and Only".
It didn't take long to learn that the aquarium world was split on Dr Tim's products. I had my doubts that this miracle of biology could work. However, with nothing to lose, and not wanting to explain to my daughter that her beloved fancy guppies were going to die I placed my order for Dr Tim's One and Only, and paid extra for the overnight shipping.
Not only did "Dr Tim's One and Only" work, but it has allowed for the setup of a second tank for the female guppies, without waiting for the traditional 30-day tank to cycling. We literally dumped eight (8) female guppies and a pair of Cory Cats into the new tank, within minutes of filling the new tank with water. Both tanks are now filled with thriving guppies. We set-up a tank for fries using water pulled from the female tank.
The first couple weeks I tested the water daily and could tell that the bacteria was becoming established, with in a few days the bio-filter was in place and doing its job. After a month of daily testing I reduced my water testing to once a week. If I detect an increase in any of the levels I add a one cap full (half a dose) to the tank, and my readings drop back to zero (0) again. Our tanks are healthy and stable; I have plans on moving up to 30 gallon tanks for the guppies and Dr. Tim's will be are part of that upgrade.
I HIGHLY recommend Dr Tim's One and Only to anyone with a tank full of fish that can't or won't wait for the normal 30 day traditional cycle method. There simply no reason to wait before enjoying a tank full of happy fish.
I read the one star review of Dr Tim's One and Only, and can say I had zero problems with the product. One and only worked PERFECTLY -my Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite levels hold steady zeros or near zero. I can only suggest everyone should read and follow the instructions. Dr. Tim's web page had provided great insight into tank management.
Side note: I use the dropper test from API as I feel its results are more accurate than the stick method, even if it take more effort.
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