Introduction
Many beginners to the world of fishkeeping can be grouped into one of two categories; those who research beforehand and embark on a fishless cycle and those who buy fish first and find themselves deliberately or unwittingly in a fish-in cycle. Either way, a beginner or experienced aquarist alike needs access to quality information about the fastest way to conduct a cycle.
The majority of online guides to fishless cycling will generally advise the reader to use some combination of household ammonia, fish food, raw shrimp and a generous amount of patience. For a fish-in cycle the watchword is water changes. In both cases, bacterial accelerators are nearly universally dismissed as pointless, if they are mentionned at all.
What if there really was a product that can accelerate the cycle time of a new aquarium, protect fish from the toxic build-up of waste chemicals, eliminate new tank syndrome? Then it should surely deserve a mention in all good advisory guides to cycling.
Statement of Purpose
My goal here is to uncover the truth and expose the validity of the science behind Dr. Tim's One and Only nitrifying bacterial product. If the product doesn't work or has serious limitations then it would be helpful to firmly quantify them and give it a thorough debunking. If on the other hand it can be shown to work as advertised then it must be taken seriously as a valuable tool in the aquarist's arsenal.
I would therefore - having gained permission from the moderators - like to ensure that a place remains open where the sensible, scientific analysis of Dr Tim's products can continue for anyone interested. I would like to remind any participants of the Scientific Section Rules and that personal opinions or unevidenced claims are not relevant in any discussion. Finally, it is not my intention to open old wounds or stir the proverbial, so I would appeal to any readers to consider this a fresh start, put any past differences aside and advance in the pursuit of better knowledge for all.
My position
To clarify my position, I currently favour the scientific evidence that Dr Tim's One and Only has a sound basis in theory to work as advertised. I am less convinced by the empirical evidence and my mind is open to be persuaded by well-supported logical arguments from all sides. I have purchased the product myself and am currently using it, but do not yet know the results so I can offer no personal experience at this time.
Credits
I take no credit for the work done in researching this topic. All this information has been previously researched and discussed by TwoTankAmin and other members of this forum. All credit for hard work goes to them. I will merely attempt to summarize the information, evidence and discussion that has been presented so far into a more concise format for ease of reference.
What does One & Only claim to do?
1. Eliminate new tank syndrome (1)
2. Instantly create a bio filter (1)
3. Remove ammonia and nitrite (1)
4. No need to wait (i.e. fish can be added immediately) (1)
5. Ammonia & nitrite should both be dropping to zero within 24 hours after 5-7 days of using the product (2)
(1) Dr Tim's Aquatics One and Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria
(2) Dr Tim's Aquatics Fishless Cycling Guide
Does it contain the right type of bacteria?
The product is based on the results of research conducted by Dr Hovanec and his colleagues while working as employees for Marineland. Three research papers were published which identified specific species of Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira as the main autotrophic nitrifiying bacteria in aquariums. (3,4,5)
The papers were peer reviewed and have since been verified by independent research. (6,7) A significant period of time has elapsed since the publishing of all three papers during which none of them have been refuted or supplanted by new research.
As a result of this research Marineland produced Bio-Spira in 2002, a year after the last paper was published. (8) Marineland was subsequently acquired by Tetra and Dr Hovanec set up his independent company Dr Tim's Aquatics. BioSpira ceased production and was replaced by Tetra SafeStart and Dr Tim's One & Only respectively.
The evidence seems conclusive that the strains of bacteria in a bottle of One & Only (and Tetra SafeStart) are suitable strains for long-term establishment of filters in home aquaria. Since Dr Hovanec (and certain of his colleagues) and Tetra hold the patents to these strains of bacteria, they cannot be found in any other commericially available products.
(3) Comparative analysis of nitrifying bacteria associated with freshwater and marine aquaria. (1996) by Hovanec, DeLong
(4) Nitrospira-Like Bacteria Associated with Nitrite Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (1998) by Hovanec, Taylor, Blakis, Delong
(5) Identification of Bacteria Responsible for Ammonia Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (2001) by Burrell, Phalen, Hovanec
(6) Nitrosomonas Nm143-like ammonia oxidizers and Nitrospira marina-like nitrite oxidizers dominate the nitrifier community in a marine aquaculture biofilm
(7) Identification and Activities In Situ of Nitrosospiraand Nitrospira spp. as Dominant Populations in a Nitrifying Fluidized Bed Reactor
(8) BioSpira Timeline
What about Archaea?
There is some evidence that AOA (ammonia oxidising archaea) may be dominant over AOB (bacteria) in large saltwater settings such as public aquaria and open ocean. However conditions in small freshwater aquaria are more favourible to AOB. (9,10,11) There are no findings of nitrite oxidising archaea anywhere.
In conclusion, there is currently insufficient evidence that archaea play a significant role in home aquaria.
(9) Nitrosopumilus maritimus genome reveals unique mechanisms for nitrification and autotrophy in globally distributed marine crenarchaea
(10) Differential photoinhibition of bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidation
(11) Nitrosomonas Nm143-like ammonia oxidizers and Nitrospira marina-like nitrite oxidizers dominate the nitrifier community in a marine aquaculture biofilm
Can the bacteria survive in a bottle?
1. Temperature
The bacteria will be completely killed if the bottle is frozen or if temperatures exceed 95°F (35°C). The bacteria will remain viable for up to 6 months at room temperature or for 1 year if kept refrigerated. (12)
2. Food
Nitrifying bacteria have mechanisms to deal with periods of starvation including a protective shield called EPS (extracellular polymeric substances). (12)
3. Oxygen
There is evidence that bacteria will decay more slowly in anoxic conditions although the reasons for this is not understood. (13, pg 12)
4. Reactivation
Reactivation of bacterial cells that have been starved and preserved above zero temperatures will occur naturally after a short recovery time (13, pg 15)
(12) Dr Tim's Aquatics One and Only Nitrifying Bacteria FAQs
(13) Bacterial Cultivation and collection strategy
Anecdotal Evidence
Bio-Spira was withdrawn from sale as the success rate was not sufficiently high to make the product commercially viable. This was at least partially due to the exacting demands of the product to be temperature controlled.
Several public aquaria have used large quantities of Dr Tim's One and Only to cycle their tanks including Georgia Aquarium, Arizona SeaLife Aquarium, SeaLife Aquarium at Legoland California and SeaLife London Aquarium. (14)
There are many examples across the internet of people who have both successfully used Dr Tim's One & Only and those who found it to have no effect.
At least some of the reported malfunctions may be explained by user failure to follow instructions. There are limited instructions supplied on the bottle and personally I have found the instructions on the website to be unclear.
Susceptibility of the product to temperature extremes during shipping may also account for some malfunctions.
There are also several reported cases that the API ammonia test kit, a commonly used home aquaria testing kit, produces unexpected results when used in combination with Dr Tims ammonium chloride and One & Only, leading some users to overdose their ammonia concentration.
(14) Dr Tim's Aquatics Testimonials
Experimental Evidence
The only experimental evidence that has been presented on this site to date is in the patent application for the strain of AOB developed by Hovanec et al. The patent was granted in 2005. It contains details of experiments which show that Hovanec's bacteria are capable of cycling a tank in half the time taken by competing commericial products. The experiment contains the names of rival products and is not known to have been contested by the manufacturers of those products. (15, Bacterial Additive Test VII, page 26)
(15) Patent Specification for Ammonia Oxiding Bacteria, by Hovanec and Burrell
In closing
I believe that this topic has been well covered on the subject of bacteria species. Going forward I should like to focus on weaker areas such as methods used to sustain the bacteria in a bottle for up to year and on the new experimental evidence.
I welcome any discussion, additional information, correction of mistakes or challenges of statements made. I am always keen to learn! Thanks for reading.
Many beginners to the world of fishkeeping can be grouped into one of two categories; those who research beforehand and embark on a fishless cycle and those who buy fish first and find themselves deliberately or unwittingly in a fish-in cycle. Either way, a beginner or experienced aquarist alike needs access to quality information about the fastest way to conduct a cycle.
The majority of online guides to fishless cycling will generally advise the reader to use some combination of household ammonia, fish food, raw shrimp and a generous amount of patience. For a fish-in cycle the watchword is water changes. In both cases, bacterial accelerators are nearly universally dismissed as pointless, if they are mentionned at all.
What if there really was a product that can accelerate the cycle time of a new aquarium, protect fish from the toxic build-up of waste chemicals, eliminate new tank syndrome? Then it should surely deserve a mention in all good advisory guides to cycling.
Statement of Purpose
My goal here is to uncover the truth and expose the validity of the science behind Dr. Tim's One and Only nitrifying bacterial product. If the product doesn't work or has serious limitations then it would be helpful to firmly quantify them and give it a thorough debunking. If on the other hand it can be shown to work as advertised then it must be taken seriously as a valuable tool in the aquarist's arsenal.
I would therefore - having gained permission from the moderators - like to ensure that a place remains open where the sensible, scientific analysis of Dr Tim's products can continue for anyone interested. I would like to remind any participants of the Scientific Section Rules and that personal opinions or unevidenced claims are not relevant in any discussion. Finally, it is not my intention to open old wounds or stir the proverbial, so I would appeal to any readers to consider this a fresh start, put any past differences aside and advance in the pursuit of better knowledge for all.
My position
To clarify my position, I currently favour the scientific evidence that Dr Tim's One and Only has a sound basis in theory to work as advertised. I am less convinced by the empirical evidence and my mind is open to be persuaded by well-supported logical arguments from all sides. I have purchased the product myself and am currently using it, but do not yet know the results so I can offer no personal experience at this time.
Credits
I take no credit for the work done in researching this topic. All this information has been previously researched and discussed by TwoTankAmin and other members of this forum. All credit for hard work goes to them. I will merely attempt to summarize the information, evidence and discussion that has been presented so far into a more concise format for ease of reference.
What does One & Only claim to do?
1. Eliminate new tank syndrome (1)
2. Instantly create a bio filter (1)
3. Remove ammonia and nitrite (1)
4. No need to wait (i.e. fish can be added immediately) (1)
5. Ammonia & nitrite should both be dropping to zero within 24 hours after 5-7 days of using the product (2)
(1) Dr Tim's Aquatics One and Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria
(2) Dr Tim's Aquatics Fishless Cycling Guide
Does it contain the right type of bacteria?
The product is based on the results of research conducted by Dr Hovanec and his colleagues while working as employees for Marineland. Three research papers were published which identified specific species of Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira as the main autotrophic nitrifiying bacteria in aquariums. (3,4,5)
The papers were peer reviewed and have since been verified by independent research. (6,7) A significant period of time has elapsed since the publishing of all three papers during which none of them have been refuted or supplanted by new research.
As a result of this research Marineland produced Bio-Spira in 2002, a year after the last paper was published. (8) Marineland was subsequently acquired by Tetra and Dr Hovanec set up his independent company Dr Tim's Aquatics. BioSpira ceased production and was replaced by Tetra SafeStart and Dr Tim's One & Only respectively.
The evidence seems conclusive that the strains of bacteria in a bottle of One & Only (and Tetra SafeStart) are suitable strains for long-term establishment of filters in home aquaria. Since Dr Hovanec (and certain of his colleagues) and Tetra hold the patents to these strains of bacteria, they cannot be found in any other commericially available products.
(3) Comparative analysis of nitrifying bacteria associated with freshwater and marine aquaria. (1996) by Hovanec, DeLong
(4) Nitrospira-Like Bacteria Associated with Nitrite Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (1998) by Hovanec, Taylor, Blakis, Delong
(5) Identification of Bacteria Responsible for Ammonia Oxidation in Freshwater Aquaria (2001) by Burrell, Phalen, Hovanec
(6) Nitrosomonas Nm143-like ammonia oxidizers and Nitrospira marina-like nitrite oxidizers dominate the nitrifier community in a marine aquaculture biofilm
(7) Identification and Activities In Situ of Nitrosospiraand Nitrospira spp. as Dominant Populations in a Nitrifying Fluidized Bed Reactor
(8) BioSpira Timeline
What about Archaea?
There is some evidence that AOA (ammonia oxidising archaea) may be dominant over AOB (bacteria) in large saltwater settings such as public aquaria and open ocean. However conditions in small freshwater aquaria are more favourible to AOB. (9,10,11) There are no findings of nitrite oxidising archaea anywhere.
In conclusion, there is currently insufficient evidence that archaea play a significant role in home aquaria.
(9) Nitrosopumilus maritimus genome reveals unique mechanisms for nitrification and autotrophy in globally distributed marine crenarchaea
(10) Differential photoinhibition of bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidation
(11) Nitrosomonas Nm143-like ammonia oxidizers and Nitrospira marina-like nitrite oxidizers dominate the nitrifier community in a marine aquaculture biofilm
Can the bacteria survive in a bottle?
1. Temperature
The bacteria will be completely killed if the bottle is frozen or if temperatures exceed 95°F (35°C). The bacteria will remain viable for up to 6 months at room temperature or for 1 year if kept refrigerated. (12)
2. Food
Nitrifying bacteria have mechanisms to deal with periods of starvation including a protective shield called EPS (extracellular polymeric substances). (12)
3. Oxygen
There is evidence that bacteria will decay more slowly in anoxic conditions although the reasons for this is not understood. (13, pg 12)
4. Reactivation
Reactivation of bacterial cells that have been starved and preserved above zero temperatures will occur naturally after a short recovery time (13, pg 15)
(12) Dr Tim's Aquatics One and Only Nitrifying Bacteria FAQs
(13) Bacterial Cultivation and collection strategy
Anecdotal Evidence
Bio-Spira was withdrawn from sale as the success rate was not sufficiently high to make the product commercially viable. This was at least partially due to the exacting demands of the product to be temperature controlled.
Several public aquaria have used large quantities of Dr Tim's One and Only to cycle their tanks including Georgia Aquarium, Arizona SeaLife Aquarium, SeaLife Aquarium at Legoland California and SeaLife London Aquarium. (14)
There are many examples across the internet of people who have both successfully used Dr Tim's One & Only and those who found it to have no effect.
At least some of the reported malfunctions may be explained by user failure to follow instructions. There are limited instructions supplied on the bottle and personally I have found the instructions on the website to be unclear.
Susceptibility of the product to temperature extremes during shipping may also account for some malfunctions.
There are also several reported cases that the API ammonia test kit, a commonly used home aquaria testing kit, produces unexpected results when used in combination with Dr Tims ammonium chloride and One & Only, leading some users to overdose their ammonia concentration.
(14) Dr Tim's Aquatics Testimonials
Experimental Evidence
The only experimental evidence that has been presented on this site to date is in the patent application for the strain of AOB developed by Hovanec et al. The patent was granted in 2005. It contains details of experiments which show that Hovanec's bacteria are capable of cycling a tank in half the time taken by competing commericial products. The experiment contains the names of rival products and is not known to have been contested by the manufacturers of those products. (15, Bacterial Additive Test VII, page 26)
(15) Patent Specification for Ammonia Oxiding Bacteria, by Hovanec and Burrell
In closing
I believe that this topic has been well covered on the subject of bacteria species. Going forward I should like to focus on weaker areas such as methods used to sustain the bacteria in a bottle for up to year and on the new experimental evidence.
I welcome any discussion, additional information, correction of mistakes or challenges of statements made. I am always keen to learn! Thanks for reading.