Water Changes

[Edward303]

Hello! How often should I do a water change when cycling a new 20gal tank.
Also about how much water should I take out if so? Thank you!

 

[GR00VY]

Let it cycle completely and then change water. I do 20 percent give or take every week, depending on what kinda of equipment you are running (skimmer etc)

 

[Seadoc]

There is no need to do water changes when cycling unless your are following instructions from a fishless cycle method (e.g. Dr. Tim's) or there are specific problems with the cycle process. Other than just continue measuring your parameters to follow the cycle and relax.

 

[Edward303]

There is no need to do water changes when cycling unless your are following instructions from a fishless cycle method (e.g. Dr. Tim's) or there are specific problems with the cycle process. Other than just continue measuring your parameters to follow the cycle and relax.

Thanks. Yah, no fish in the tank. It's been over 4 or 5 weeks and my nitrite is still at .25

Got live sand and dry rock in the tank. No add bacteria . On the 3rd week I did a 20% water change, and at one point I add some amona and nitrite down. I'm shur that wasn't a good ideal. It's been about 2weeks since. From what I know this can be a long process at times,bacteria growth..

 

[Seadoc]

Thanks. Yah, no fish in the tank. It's been over 4 or 5 weeks and my nitrite is still at .25

Got live sand and dry rock in the tank. No add bacteria . On the 3rd week I did a 20% water change, and at one point I add some amona and nitrite down. I'm shur that wasn't a good ideal. It's been about 2weeks since. From what I know this can be a long process at times,bacteria growth..

How much rock and how much sand? What did you used as your ammonia and nitrite source and how much of it did you put in the system?

 

[AdamB]

Yes , water change slowed the process. Nitrites are slower than ammonia processing .
Did you dose ammonia are what did you put in tank to start cycle? What’s your ammonia at now?
You will see progress when your nitrites start going through the roof.
If you didn’t dose or anything it will a while until your tank cycles

 

[Edward303]

How much rock and how much sand? What did you used as your ammonia and nitrite source and how much of it did you put in the system?

It's a 20gal tank. I have 20lbs of dry rock in there.
I cycle the rock by itself for 3 weeks before putting it in the tank. The tank was also cycling at the same time with 20lb of live sand.
The stuff I put in was PRIME amona and nitrite Decrease . I also changed my filter after the 4th week because I was a little confused about the numbers nitrite # .. So I was thinking I may have started the cycle over... ??

 

[Edward303]

It's a 20gal tank. I have 20lbs of dry rock in there.
I cycle the rock by itself for 3 weeks before putting it in the tank. The tank was also cycling at the same time with 20lb of live sand.
The stuff I put in was PRIME amona and nitrite Decrease . I also changed my filter after the 4th week because I was a little confused about the numbers nitrite # .. So I was thinking I may have started the cycle over... ??

Also using RODI water.

 

[Jamesrup0411]

live Sand and rock there should be no reason to add anything else. Just be patient and it will do the work for you. Agree no water change until cycle completes.

 

[Jamesrup0411]

Btw what test kits are you using

 

[Edward303]

Btw what test kits are you using

API

 

[warpdrvr]

I used API at first and got all kinds of off the wall results. Went to Salifert and things much better. I also read the thread on here somewhere about the microbiology of the cycle. Very helpful. I kept getting some ammonia and nitrates, but no nitrites. After reading the thread, I decided my tank was cycled. Went and bought 6 green Chromis and a Banggi Cardinal. Added all to tank and a week later they are all doing very well. I can see the Chromis growing for sure. Added a small CUC last nite as well. Starting to show some brown spotting on the sand, think it may be the beginning of a diatom bloom maybe.

 

[William Mumford]

I used API at first and got all kinds of off the wall results. Went to Salifert and things much better. I also read the thread on here somewhere about the microbiology of the cycle. Very helpful. I kept getting some ammonia and nitrates, but no nitrites. After reading the thread, I decided my tank was cycled. Went and bought 6 green Chromis and a Banggi Cardinal. Added all to tank and a week later they are all doing very well. I can see the Chromis growing for sure. Added a small CUC last nite as well. Starting to show some brown spotting on the sand, think it may be the beginning of a diatom bloom maybe.

All new tanks get brown stuff it lasts a long time and is very annoying. Manual removal durring water changes and lowering your light intensity will help. But it is a completely normal process of the tank and will pass with time.

 

[William Mumford]

I used API at first and got all kinds of off the wall results. Went to Salifert and things much better. I also read the thread on here somewhere about the microbiology of the cycle. Very helpful. I kept getting some ammonia and nitrates, but no nitrites. After reading the thread, I decided my tank was cycled. Went and bought 6 green Chromis and a Banggi Cardinal. Added all to tank and a week later they are all doing very well. I can see the Chromis growing for sure. Added a small CUC last nite as well. Starting to show some brown spotting on the sand, think it may be the beginning of a diatom bloom maybe.

Also let those fish cycle in the tank before adding more I like to wait a month at least for the tank to adjust.

 

[warpdrvr]

Yeah, that's what I've been told elsewhere as well. I do have my QT tank setup so probably gonna grab a pair of clowns and put in there till they are ready for the DT.