Nitrogen Cycle - Water Test?

[alexytman]

I was starting a tank with IO salt and Live rock etc. But I was wondering how often do you check your water quality? and methods of dealing with water quality DURING the cycle. (I have a skimmer running).

 

[Mandrew]

Typically you just add an ammonia source and let the tank cycle. You don't do much to it at all except test for ammonia, and once the ammonia starts to go down you test nitrite, once nitrite goes to 0 you test nitrate and they should read fairly high. After that do a water change and add your first fish. Then you really should wait a month to add anything else.

 

[Mandrew]

You can also use products like biospira, or dr tims one and only bottle bacteria to seed the tank with the nitrifying bacteria and speed up the process. Dr. Tims website has great informational videos on the nitrogen cycle.

 

[alexytman]

You can also use products like biospira, or dr tims one and only bottle bacteria to seed the tank with the nitrifying bacteria and speed up the process. Dr. Tims website has great informational videos on the nitrogen cycle.

Okay, I'm basically on Phase 2 (nitrite)... But when I have an established tank, is there any way of minimalizing water changes and keeping my nitrate low. Preferably something that won't be toooo visually ugly.

 

[alexytman]

You can also use products like biospira, or dr tims one and only bottle bacteria to seed the tank with the nitrifying bacteria and speed up the process. Dr. Tims website has great informational videos on the nitrogen cycle.

Also how many (%) do I do for the water change?

 

[Jason mack]

Normally 10-20% weekly or bi weekly .. I do normally 10% every week

 

[brandon429]

This whole thread is about live rock cycling- we get to skip nitrite testing if that sounds fun

http://reef2reef.com/threads/new-ta...d-cocktail-shrimp-live-rock-no-shrimp.214618/

 

[brandon429]

It also shows how to forego the cycle altogether, if your live rock has certain proofs on it we can see plainly.