Water changes won't slow your cycle as the water does not house the bulk of hte beneficial bacteria. The beneficial bacteria is housed on surfaces and predominantly in your filter. Doing wc's only dilutes the ammonia/nitrite so that its less toxic to your fish. THe beneficial bacteria will continue to grow as your fish produce waste. I would the levels as low as possible in order to reduce stress to your fish. If you want the tank cycled quickly, go fishless, add cycled media, and dose ammonia.
W/C frequency at this point.
- Thread starter knifegill
- Start date
Hey, everybody! Thanks for your helpful responses. It has been a very long time since I've had to cycle a tank so a lot of the common sense is missing.
You know, I've been pinned down as sarcastic a few times lately. I will try to watch my syntax more carefully. I'm sure some of the frustration comes from having to do this again. My tanks have all been established for so long I haven't had to worry about it. And I'm quitting my job to do college full time, so I guess I'm a little on edge. Please forgive me.
Back to the topic, water changes it is! I'd forgotten that the BB were, in effect, being overfed as it is, so I shouldn't be afraid to remove some waste. Thank you again.
Anybody want to tackle that one? I suppose it is true that since I'm so accustomed to keeping nitrates below ten and particulate matter to a minimum that I really have forgotten how to tackle a new tank. I've seeded every aquarium I've had with nitrifyers, etc. from existing tanks, dating back to my first 10g in 05. So these comments are helpful, too.
You know, I've been pinned down as sarcastic a few times lately. I will try to watch my syntax more carefully. I'm sure some of the frustration comes from having to do this again. My tanks have all been established for so long I haven't had to worry about it. And I'm quitting my job to do college full time, so I guess I'm a little on edge. Please forgive me.
Back to the topic, water changes it is! I'd forgotten that the BB were, in effect, being overfed as it is, so I shouldn't be afraid to remove some waste. Thank you again.
Anybody want to tackle that one? I suppose it is true that since I'm so accustomed to keeping nitrates below ten and particulate matter to a minimum that I really have forgotten how to tackle a new tank. I've seeded every aquarium I've had with nitrifyers, etc. from existing tanks, dating back to my first 10g in 05. So these comments are helpful, too.
