Cycling tank and water changes

[Hank82]

So I don’t understand the whole cycling a tank and doing very frequent water changes. I get that the tank needs to get rid of ammonia/chlorine which could take about a week, when doing water changes. I understand that nitrate/nitrite levels need to stabilize in a new tank before fish are introduced and fish waste increases those levels. What I don’t understand is if you do frequent water changes aren’t you introducing nitrates/nitrites back into the water? Especially if you are doing major water changes weekly? Please explain.

Right now I am 3 days into a new tank and letting things settle before i get fish.

 

[deeda]

Cycling a tank is done to establish a colony of good bacteria that will consume any ammonia or nitrite that livestock will create either through their bodily functions or through the food they eat or don't eat. Nitrate is usually removed by performing water changes or by having enough live plants to consume nitrate.

Water changes are not normally done during the process of cycling a tank that does NOT contain livestock.

I suggest testing your water source/tap water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to see what the values are currently. Hopefully you have an aquarium test kit so you can test. If so, please post the brand and type test kit you are using.

There are a few tried and true methods for properly cycling a tank, which method are YOU using now?

 

[Hank82]

Cycling a tank is done to establish a colony of good bacteria that will consume any ammonia or nitrite that livestock will create either through their bodily functions or through the food they eat or don't eat. Nitrate is usually removed by performing water changes or by having enough live plants to consume nitrate.

Water changes are not normally done during the process of cycling a tank that does NOT contain livestock.

There are a few tried and true methods for properly cycling a tank, which method are YOU using now?

Everything is put in the tank and both filters are running. I have added prime to help with water conditioning but haven’t done anything else.
Should I be doing more?

 

[Tobiassorensen]

Everything is put in the tank and both filters are running. I have added prime to help with water conditioning but haven’t done anything else.
Should I be doing more?

Have you introduced fish to the tank? Fishwaste starts out as ammonia turns to nitrite turns to nitrate. Nitrate is why we change water. Your wc schedule is based on your bioload. If you aint got a testkit go buy one. It is your best friend

 

[Hank82]

Have you introduced fish to the tank? Fishwaste starts out as ammonia turns to nitrite turns to nitrate. Nitrate is why we change water. Your wc schedule is based on your bioload. If you aint got a testkit go buy one. It is your best friend

I have not added fish yet. how long should I wait. the nitrate level now is about 5ppm now. I know I can't be any above 10 ppm

 

[Tobiassorensen]

I have not added fish yet. how long should I wait. the nitrate level now is about 5ppm now. I know I can't be any above 10 ppm

What does your ammonia and nitrite come out on your testkit? What kind of testkit are you using?

 

[Hank82]

What does your ammonia and nitrite come out on your testkit? What kind of testkit are you using?

I don't have an ammonia kit or nitrite. Should I get an API master kit?

 

[Hank82]

And wouldn't the prime have taken care of the ammonia?

 

[Tobiassorensen]

I don't have an ammonia kit or nitrite. Should I get an API master kit?

Yes you should. Ammonia and nitrite are more important to controll during a cycling then nitrate

 

[Tobiassorensen]

And wouldn't the prime have taken care of the ammonia?

Never used prime at all. But dont depend on things like that.