Water change during cycling?

[H2O_Beasts]

I'm cycling my brand new 55G tank right now. Are you supposed to do any water changes while it is cycling? How often should I test the water? This is my first freshwater tank btw

 

[packer43064]

FYI the red is terrible to see, might want to change it.

Don't do a WC until you have nitrates. I'd test after the first week, and as you have more ammonia and nitrites test more often, but not until then. You want nitrates.

 

[H2O_Beasts]

Awesome, thanks a lot!

 

[fishbum]

You cycling with or without fish?

 

[H2O_Beasts]

With and I intend to keep them of course. I have 2 small African Cichlids in there. Tanks has been up and running for 5 days.

 

[H2O_Beasts]

Nice Metallica quote BTW

 

[LD50]

if you are cycling with fish I would be all over some water changes or your likely to kill your fish.

 

[fishbum]

if you are cycling with fish I would be all over some water changes or your likely to kill your fish.

Yeah.What are your ammonia and nitrites at now?

 

[H2O_Beasts]

Well I have the test strips. The nitrites are safe. Ammonia is still in the safe zone but is a shade darker so it looks like ammonia is starting to creep up a little bit.

 

[fishbum]

I would do a 50% water change now to be safe and get a liquid test kit.One will cost you around $30,but they are worth it.

http://www.petsolutions.com/API-Freshwater-Master-Test-Kit+I17101034.aspx


Another junkie lives too fast,