I have a 55gal. new setup and i added some nitro. bacteria dont remember name brand but it was refigerated . my qustion is when should i start doing water changes and should i add bacteria each time.
new setup water change question
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Don't add anything or start the water changes until the cycle is complete. You'll know this by the test results. You can't just go by how long it's been and a guess. You didn't mention if this was a fishless cycle or not or anything about water testing. The BB need something to live off of and that means an ammonia source either fish or chemical.
What fish do you have in there?
The tank isn't going to cycle until you get some bioload (i.e. fish poop) in there.
If you do water tests that will tell you when you need to do water changes. If Ammonia or Nitrite levels build up too much during cycling you can do water changes to control them. If the tank is only lightly stocked to start with then water changes shouldn't be needed initially. Otherwise you can wait until your nitrAte reading starts to rise and start doing water changes then.
If you dont have water test gear, then just take it slow adding fish and do water changes to your normal routine. As long as you add fish slowly (over 6 weeks or so) the tank will cycle OK.
Cheers
Ian
The tank isn't going to cycle until you get some bioload (i.e. fish poop) in there.
If you do water tests that will tell you when you need to do water changes. If Ammonia or Nitrite levels build up too much during cycling you can do water changes to control them. If the tank is only lightly stocked to start with then water changes shouldn't be needed initially. Otherwise you can wait until your nitrAte reading starts to rise and start doing water changes then.
If you dont have water test gear, then just take it slow adding fish and do water changes to your normal routine. As long as you add fish slowly (over 6 weeks or so) the tank will cycle OK.
Cheers
Ian
Buy feeder goldfish's for your bio load.. just put the fish in the tank and let it cycle about 3 days.. then test the water for amonia,nitrite and nitrate.. If all is well put the fish!
Goodluck!
Goodluck!
thanks everyone. I did add some giant dianos to give bio load . i WILL TEST WATER AS SOON AS I GET HOME .