water change

[tylerfear]

should i do a water change during the cycle or will it just slow the cycle down??? if i should how much would you suggest

 

[buzzword]

Tyler, don't do a water change you will just prolong your cycle. Just top off evaporation loss with RO water.

 

[tylerfear]

thanks for the help

 

[bang guy]

Doing a water change will not slow down your cycle at all. It will also help more of the animals in your live rock survive the cycle. I usually change 20 - 25% of the water whenever ammonia exceeds 0.5ppm. During the middle of the cycle this can mean changing water every day; the end result is worth it though. The more diversity in your rock the healthier your tank will be.

 

[buzzword]

Thanks for setting me straight Bang, I was under the impression that yyou would slow it down and remove the nitrite and ammonia that would help to build your biological filter. I stand corrected and wiser at the same time.

 

[bang guy]

That myth has been around forever. If you get a reading of Ammonia greater than 0.00 then there is plenty of food for Bacteria to reproduce. A high Ammonia level will not speed things along, it will just kill the animals in your live rock leaving you with less diversity and a less useful filtration system.
I've seen the "will slow down the cycle" myth in several books but the author will only ever reference another book that perpetuates the same myth. If you ever try it you will notice a significant difference in the quality of your rock.