Water change time between

[olingerjccj]

I did a 40% water change today to lower my nirtates, They did not even budge still well over 100. This tank is 3 weeks old only live rock in there. How many days should i wait to do another one or just let it sit for a while..
Thanks

 

[coraljunky]

Sounds like your tank is still cycling. Stop doing water changes until your cycle is complete. Do you still have ammonia???

 

[sepulatian]

If there is nothing but rock in there then you can do a 75-80% change to drop the nitrates. I am guessing that you had high spikes in ammonia and nitrite. Be sure that the water is mixed for at least 24 hours.

 

[olingerjccj]

My ammonia is >0.25. So still do another 70% water or sit on it.
Thanks

 

[rtspeed]

just sit and wait til the ammonia is at 0 and the nirites are a 0 too.

 

[rebelprettyboy]

What are trites? Seems like tank is cyclying. So id sit back and wait.. Ur getting close to adding things!!

 

[metweezer]

Originally Posted by rebelprettyboy
http:///forum/post/2588570
What are trites? Seems like tank is cyclying. So id sit back and wait.. Ur getting close to adding things!!
Trites (nitrites) is the second phase in your cycling process. First you get an amonia spike. Then bacteria converts your amonia to nitrites and finally you get nitrates. Your tank is not cycled until amonia and trites are at 0 and you only have nitrates. At that time you can start reducing your nitrates with water changes.

 

[florida joe]

I still have a problem with that reading of nitrates With all due respect are you sure you are not confusing the nitrite test with the nitrate test

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by olingerjccj
http:///forum/post/2588443
My ammonia is >0.25. So still do another 70% water or sit on it.
Thanks
How high did the ammonia spike? What is the nitrite reading? How high did the nitrites spike?

 

[olingerjccj]

Im not sure i had a ammonia spike its basically 0 now, my nitrate reading only goes to 100. im guessin 200 now around 150.

 

[al mc]

Originally Posted by olingerjccj
http:///forum/post/2589728
Im not sure i had a ammonia spike its basically 0 now, my nitrate reading only goes to 100. im guessin 200 now around 150.
To get a better read on the actual number try diluting your sample, then take a reading.
Example 1/2 the sample is from the tank; 1/2 the sample from your RO/DI
new salt water
Multiple your result by 2 and you should get a more accurate reading.
Personally, even though you are waiting for the cycle to finish I do not like the 'trates' to get over 100....I usually do a water change to try to keep them in the 50ish range max because you will lose some of the micro'critters' on the live rock if the ammonia, 'trites' or 'trates' get too out of hand.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by olingerjccj
http:///forum/post/2589728
Im not sure i had a ammonia spike its basically 0 now, my nitrate reading only goes to 100. im guessin 200 now around 150.
Definitely do a water change. Did this rock come out of an established tank?