ok to use tap water for first water change?

[ckehl]

i dont have access to RO water currently, and my tank has been up for a week. I want to do a water change but don't have the correct water. I don't have any fish or inverts or corals. Just the hitchhikers from my live rock. Any help is appreciated.

 

[who dey]

don't do a water change until your cycle is complete. Water changes would remove bacteria you are trying to grow in the first place for cycle completion. and don't ever use tap water, too many silicates (algae nightmare)

 

[ckehl]

thanks a bunch

 

[forcrz6]

After what I am going through right now w/ my tank I would never use tap water again. Some people say that they have no issues w/ it and that is fine But I just dumped a tank due to tap. Never again. So I would advise against it us ro only. Talk about an expensive lesson that I learned.

 

[birdy]

If you cannot get RO water easily, then distilled is a very good alternate source.
I disagree with the statement that doing a water change during the cycle removes bacteria, there is not a lot of bacteria in the water itself it mainly grows on the surfaces in your tank, doing a water change if your ammonia and nitrite levels are extremely high is actually a very good idea.