90% Water Change Post Successful Cycle? (no livestock)

[tutmatt3]

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to check in! I have dry rock & live sand, and am doing the bio-spira / dr tims ammonia fishless cycle.

I just wanted to check if its ok to do a 90% water change, and wait about 1x more week (monitoring the water) before adding in livestock. I still have about 1-2x weeks from that big water change, but I wanted to make sure it wouldn't make a big impact on the bacteria being established.

Reasons for the big water change:
1) BRS recommends it if 'curing/cooking' dry rock in a new tank during cycle, without any prior curing
2) Figures there will be a ton of nitrates in the water from the constant addition of ammonia.
3) I did have to use a tool (screw dryer/plyers), which made contact with the water. Figure any substance on these old tools could have entered the water.

Looking forward to feedback!
Thanks!

 

[Oscar47f]

in my opinion you don't have to do a 90% change, I've never done that regardless of any tank i set up and I've had no issues but i don't think a 90% change would hurt if you wanted to do it... nitrates aren't toxic at low levels either just my 2 cents

 

[tutmatt3]

That's good yo know. Thanks!
If I recall my memory, I think it was too eliminate the phosphates or something from the dry rock

It's been a while since I've read it. Thanks!

 

[Oscar47f]

Yeah it totally would make sense to do that! i usually deal with the algae out break through my refugium but if you can't i would probably do a water change..

 

[tutmatt3]

Awesome, thanks a lot! Yeah I figured most the bacteria should be on the rock/sand by the time I'm ready to do today change.

Will keep ya posted!

 

[brandon429]

Scores of nano reef keepers do 90-100% changes for years, no harm for sure. Stirring up waste that was stored in the tank which could have been removed vs stored is the real risk.

Once your cycle submersion time has been completed, close to three weeks or better, how you change the water won't measurably impact filter bacteria

I leave my whole reef drained for 25 mins new record... hundreds of times to condition it. The bac are the toughest established population in our tanks. First to deposit, last to go.

Dose bottle bac and get tank water up to 1ppm ammonia verified on a hq, not entry level test kit

 

[tutmatt3]

Really good info to know. Tyvm!

 

[Robink]

Really nice scape!

 

[tutmatt3]

Thank you very much!!! Took a little time to figure out, but this brs reef saver stuff is incredible how it pieces together! That + some two little fishes grey epoxy, = awesome!

 

[Lionfish Lair]

It used to be common practice to do a large water after the cycle.

 

[tutmatt3]

Restructuring now:
What I think I'll do is a 50% water change
1x Day later, do another 50% water change

This way, my rock will still be covered by water during the whole process, and I can estimate at least 65-75%ish or so of the water is fresh =)

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I usually do 50%. It's a good way to get rid of the nitrates.

 

[tutmatt3]

Awesome! Thanks pal

 

[aquanerd57]

I agree with Oscar47. Do a fifty percent water change and wait two weeks. What's the rush? Test a lot and track the dynamics of what is going on in your tank. After two weeks change half again. If it looks good buy some livestock and quarantine for two weeks. Your tanks biofilter has had to to grow a support of nitrobacker bacteria for incoming stock. Everything good in this hobby come with patience and time. Happy Reefing my friend.