nissan97240
New Member
When letting my tank first cycle should I do any water changes?
Cycle Question?
- Thread starter nissan97240
- Start date
E
eric b 125
Guest
ive only done them when my nitrates started getting up there
posiden
Active Member
There is mixed opinions on this. Some say to do water changes, and others say don't do them. I myself, did do two water changes in my ten gallon tank that I have recently set up when I saw the nitrates get to 20. Did it need it.....No. I just did it. I think I have been programed that that was just bad, since my 29 reef doesn't show any on my mediocre test kit.
Wait for some others to chime in for you. But, all in all IMO. You don't "need" too.
Wait for some others to chime in for you. But, all in all IMO. You don't "need" too.
pezenfuego
Active Member
I would. You see, live rock is so much more than just housing for biological filtration. Live rock is home to variety of good animals that are harmed by too much ammonia.
My views on the cycle are this...not these are only my opinions/feelings.
Treat your tank the same way you would if it had been established for years except test more frequently.
That is to say, feed it the way you would if there were fish, do water changes as you would if you had other animals, etc.
Basically, care for your ghost fish. Eventually your tank will be up to the challenge of housing fish and you won't have to change a thing to your schedule when you get them.
You already know that the biological filtration will be able to handle the fish load because you have been feeding your tank as if the fish load was already there.
In any case, I recommend doing water changes to keep your ammonia at bay. If your ammonia is off the charts, then things will die only to create more ammonia.
Doing water changes does not decrease the bacteria population since the bacteria live on the surfaces of the aquarium.
Don't go overboard with water changes though. You don't want to shock the rock and create more die off or regularly remove the bacteria's food source.
It's all about a happy medium. If your ammonia levels aren't that bad, don't sweat it.
My views on the cycle are this...not these are only my opinions/feelings.
Treat your tank the same way you would if it had been established for years except test more frequently.
That is to say, feed it the way you would if there were fish, do water changes as you would if you had other animals, etc.
Basically, care for your ghost fish. Eventually your tank will be up to the challenge of housing fish and you won't have to change a thing to your schedule when you get them.
You already know that the biological filtration will be able to handle the fish load because you have been feeding your tank as if the fish load was already there.
In any case, I recommend doing water changes to keep your ammonia at bay. If your ammonia is off the charts, then things will die only to create more ammonia.
Doing water changes does not decrease the bacteria population since the bacteria live on the surfaces of the aquarium.
Don't go overboard with water changes though. You don't want to shock the rock and create more die off or regularly remove the bacteria's food source.
It's all about a happy medium. If your ammonia levels aren't that bad, don't sweat it.