Hi Folks - So it's been 3 weeks today since I started cycling my (~260 gallon tank). First some background:
* Kicked-off the process using Seachem Stabilize (following the directions for dosing for the 7 days) and API Water Conditioner as prescribed.
* Added a couple 2-3 inch parrots and one 3-inch gold nugget and one 3-inch blue phantom between day 3-8.
* Since I started I believe I've gone through to what has been a bacterial bloom between week 1 and 2 which was expected. That wasn't too bad and didn't mind the clouded water.
* I suspect that given the tank size, and relative light waste production, my ammonia and nitrite continues to be 0 (using API Master Test Kit). Even had it test at LFS.
Since the cycle started I've had 2-3 inch black polish rock for substrate and driftwood/plants. After a week I added another piece of driftwood/plants as I felt it need more to "balance" the look of the tank.
Since I was reading 0 for the nitrogen cycle, I decided to add a small pieces of (cooked) shrimp to 1) let the plecos nibble on and 2) potentially create more ammonia.
My problem now is for the last 4 days, my water has been extremely cloudy to a point where I can barely see the fish. One of the parrot has formed "black spots" (not sure if there's a direct correlation with the cloudy water). I'm committed to going through this cycle process, but I'm really at a point now where I feel I at least need to a do a 25%-50% PWC. We're talking some really cloudy water here with traces of brown/green algae.
My question is can I/should I perform a PWC without negatively impact the cycling process? I figured it won't be worse given that I'm reading 0 still. Again, I was expecting the bacterial blooms and all during the cycling, but it's at a point where I don't want to sit idle.
I would appreciate and advice as to what my next steps should be here...
* Kicked-off the process using Seachem Stabilize (following the directions for dosing for the 7 days) and API Water Conditioner as prescribed.
* Added a couple 2-3 inch parrots and one 3-inch gold nugget and one 3-inch blue phantom between day 3-8.
* Since I started I believe I've gone through to what has been a bacterial bloom between week 1 and 2 which was expected. That wasn't too bad and didn't mind the clouded water.
* I suspect that given the tank size, and relative light waste production, my ammonia and nitrite continues to be 0 (using API Master Test Kit). Even had it test at LFS.
Since the cycle started I've had 2-3 inch black polish rock for substrate and driftwood/plants. After a week I added another piece of driftwood/plants as I felt it need more to "balance" the look of the tank.
Since I was reading 0 for the nitrogen cycle, I decided to add a small pieces of (cooked) shrimp to 1) let the plecos nibble on and 2) potentially create more ammonia.
My problem now is for the last 4 days, my water has been extremely cloudy to a point where I can barely see the fish. One of the parrot has formed "black spots" (not sure if there's a direct correlation with the cloudy water). I'm committed to going through this cycle process, but I'm really at a point now where I feel I at least need to a do a 25%-50% PWC. We're talking some really cloudy water here with traces of brown/green algae.
My question is can I/should I perform a PWC without negatively impact the cycling process? I figured it won't be worse given that I'm reading 0 still. Again, I was expecting the bacterial blooms and all during the cycling, but it's at a point where I don't want to sit idle.
I would appreciate and advice as to what my next steps should be here...