Patience with me friends...

[sandy]

Okay, here is a question:
If the "good guy" bacteria are in my filters and l/r, why would a water change interrupt my cycle?
Catch Up: (Even though most of you know):
I've been cycling my new 50 gal tank for a month now... with all the critters in it <img src="graemlins//yell.gif" border="0" alt="[yell]" /> I KNOW , I KNOW.
Anyway, Ammonia has been zero for two weeks, NitrAte rose, but is not back to zero. NitrIte has hovered around .25. (It went down a little, but is now back up to .25). <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />
I've been holding off on water change this week because it would possibly stop me from being able to cycle all the way through.
But I ask again, because I really don't understand this: Wouln't a water change (say 15 gal), get rid of some of the crap -- without harming my beneficial bacteria (in the filters and the L/R?
Thanks (especially @ fshhub)

 

[sandy]

??? <img src="graemlins//confused2.gif" border="0" alt="[confused2]" />

 

[captained]

Not sure I have a great answer, but the elevated nitrites could be from the cycle, or from all those fish and no water changes- kind of a catch 22. I'd say if the nitrites climb any higher, or you get any amonia reading at all you'll have to do a water change or your fish will start to get really stressed and die.
Given that its been a month and it sounds like the nitrates peaked, I'd lean toward the water change, but its hard to really say.

 

[sandy]

I'm sorry, I neglected to say that I HAVE been doing water changes... 10 gal a week.

 

[sandy]

Okay, called my LFS and they explained what I think fshhub has been trying to get into my head. The NitrIte takes longer to cycle down. Water changes change the chemistry of the water.. slowing down the good guys from eating the NitrIte. At least this is how I understand it.
Sorry to "bug" you guys. Still no water change unless my critters are stressing.
Thanks all! Sandy (whos learning... and learning and learning...) <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

 

[fshhub]

ok, you got the answer, it does change the make up of the water, in particular, it dilutes the ammonia and such, the ammonia and nitrites is what basically spawns your bacteria that you want on everythign, until there is enough of this bacteria(which causes your nitrate reduction) you will never stabilize, and removeing water b4 done, removes the garbage you need for this processs(in so many words), so you may wind up with a yo yo effect until you get it over
HTH

 

[sandy]

 

[thinktank]

watch out filters aren't miracle workers, just remember our mexican border patrol, we can't keep them all out