Beginner Questions - need beginner answers :)

[hlcroghan]

Hey, no problem.

I am pretty new myself. Almost everything I have learned, I read or studied here. You will learn very quickly when to avoid certain LFS because they are giving bad advice after you read for a while on this site. I have walked out laughing from a few of them now that I have some of the information that I need. I am glad to help.
I was super mad at my LFS the other day because of what they sold this guy that obviously had more money than he needed. But that is a story for another day. I am glad I have done my research.

 

[robdog696]

Originally Posted by hlcroghan
http:///forum/post/2717699
Just to give you more info on that 50% water change.....the bacteria doesn't really live in the water, it lives on the sand and rocks. You change the water to introduce clean water, just as rain does for the ocean. The new water also has more oxygen in it, although that happens on the surface of the water. So in short, you are not starting the cycle and then messing it up, your cycle is complete and you are giving the tank fresh clean water.
Good information, but a little misleading. You're absolutely right, but you missed one point. The water change should be done after your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings reach 0. If you do the water change before then, you are manually filtering and the cycle is NOT done. As you stated, the purpose of the water is to replace nutrients in the water, not remove toxic elements. That is the purpose of the cycle.

 

[hlcroghan]

Thanks for the add-on and assistance!