Water change during cycle?

[Dcolognesi]

Hey guys this is my first time posting and I'm BRAND NEW to the hobby.
I'm starting with a 20gal long tank with penguin HOB filter, 2 korolia powerheads, argonite for substrate, and (for now) 10lbs of live rock, and a coralife t5 light, soon adding protein skimmer!!
Set up for 1 week, added biospirra to water once tank was full of RO water
Specific gravity is at 1.022 ( to low?)

My question: do I need to do a water change during cycle??
I'm wanting to add more live rock of course to get to 20lbs
Add rest of rock before I do my water change??

Is there any truth to not needing the HOB filter if I have enough LR and a skimmer??

I've done a LOT of research and I know I have a million things to learn.
My plans are to take it very slow and end up with a couple of clowns In a simple FOWLR tank
Thanks!

 

[Dcolognesi]

This is what I have so far. Suggestions??

 

[Planedoc]

Water changes are done to dilute polluted water with clean water and to replace minerals like calcium magnesium and many others. If nothing is consuming minerals and no animals are producing waste to pollute your water there is no need to do water changes. Keep checking you water parameters and as long as nothing gets really high you don't need to do a water change. If say you have a lot of die off from your live rock you may need to, only testing can confirm.

Tapatalk on Galaxy S3

 

[Dcolognesi]

Thanks for the great reply! I'll never learn if I don't ask! A lot of Internet articles are contradicting.

I look forward to learning as much as possible!!

 

[kth132]

+1 do not do any water change wait a bit

 

[Dcolognesi]

Nothing wrong with adding the rest of my rock while cycling correct??

And as far as only needing a skimmer if there's enough biological filtration??? Truth?

 

[kth132]

On other questions I say I would look into a HOB filter. May not need it now but if you start adding fish etc. it would be very useful and will help add a little more water volume to the tank. You can also utilize the HOB to house a little bag of GFO and Carbon which are both crucial to have in a reef tank. As far as the rock I would add it now. Adding rock later may cause another mini cycle to your tank and if you have fish in it they may stress. One thing to remember you have a pretty small tank so any fluctuation in Nitrates,Nitrites Ammonia its going to effect the tank pretty quick. Keep on eye on testing everything and keep up on your water changes once your cycle is complete

 

[Dcolognesi]

Sorry, what is GFO and should I not use carbon during a cycle?

 

[kth132]

yes always run carbon GFO is a filter media to help prevent Phosphates they sell it in bulk usually at your local saltwater store or online

 

[kth132]

and if you get a decent size HOB you can prob. pick up a plastic small heater that you can get away with mounting inside the HOB (less clutter in the tank of wires and odd stuff is always better)

 

[kth132]

something like this would be pretty sick. you can use it to house your Micro Algae and remove the bio balls and slap a small light shining threw the back to grow algae and you would be set!! hang on the back filters for saltwater - Bing Images

 

[Dcolognesi]

I like that ! Funny, I was just about to ask if I could put some algae in the HOB

 

[kth132]

I like that ! Funny, I was just about to ask if I could put some algae in the HOB

Yes you can but 2 things make sure you have room for it and make sure you can get light to it. Even a small cheap saltwater led light for a pico tank of ebay would work.

 

[kth132]

or if you cant find a clear HOB and want to go with a submersible light for Fuge check these out JBJ Nano Glo LED Refugium Light

 

[Dcolognesi]

Thanks so much! Your very helpful !

 

[kth132]

Hey no problem. At work with nothing to do. lol I remember when I first started I had 100000 questions and still do. so glad I could hopefully answer some of yours

Thanks so much! Your very helpful !

 

[kth132]

Also wanted to add id bump up your salinity to about 1.025

 

[Dcolognesi]

I'm sure ill have a ton more newbie questions I hope more people are as helpful this forum is great

 

[kth132]

Agreed im new to this forum as well and seems to have some great people on it so far.

I'm sure ill have a ton more newbie questions I hope more people are as helpful this forum is great

 

[Trex]

When I have cycled a tank with live rock (( as opposed to dry rock )), I have always done water changes during the cycle. I paid good money for all the life (( corals, tube worms, etc )) on that rock and want to limit the ammonia spike to keep that life alive.