help please read - about water changes

[the flaming scallop]

will water changes lower nitrite and nitrate levels in my tank???i treat new water with dr well fish (tm) stress coat b4 putting it in my tank. <--is this sufficient

 

[cyn]

Yes, water changes will lower all of your parameters. If you have a gallon of blue water and take out a quart and replace that with clear water, the result will be a lighter blue. This does not mean that the levels in question will not go back up. Do a water change as a 'quick fix' and then try to determine the cause of the elevated levels.
Oh, if the tank has not cycled do not do a water change at all. It will just prolong the cycle.
HTH,
cyn

 

[the flaming scallop]

thanks man, how long does the usual water cycle take? i started my tank with special sand and used tap water. how can i tell when my tank is finished?

 

[blondenaso1]

The time it takes for a new tank to cycles varies. What to you mean by "special sand"? I take it you mean live sand? Have you added live rock and what are you cycling it with ie. damsels, raw shrimp? You will know when the cycle is complete when the ammonia and nitrite level is 0 and there is only a small amount of nitrates. Make sure that there was an ammonia spike or it could be that it never started its cycle. The process goes
ammonia --> nitrite --> nitrate
Also, remember that water changes lower all parameters including pH. So make sure to compensate for that when doing one.

 

[the flaming scallop]

hehe whats ro water? and doesnt using prime or stress coat take care of the nitrates?

 

[the flaming scallop]

ooo reverse osmosis forgot about that <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[dwf]

As my friend Russell the reef geek says...
"Dilution is the Solution" <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[uncle fester]

Just remember though, initial post mentioned nitrites. Was always my belief you needed to let nitrites "cycle" and become nitrates (although water changes should dilute them). Then you could dilute/remove nitrates with water changes. with water changes. Just my opinion, Fester.

 

[javajoe]

I agree. Let the tank cycle.
Also- what is "special sand"?