When to perform water change after curing live rock - Aquarium Advice

pinda · 03-31-2007, 06:15 PM

I beleive my live rock is cured now. Very low nitrite levels, very clear clean water after using stress zyme. I dont have a nitrate test kit, I can tell you that lots of small bubbles have formed on the live rock. How soon do i perform a PWC. I have a 55g tank, 65g protein skimmer, 1 double penguin biowhell, 1 70 gal aquaclear and one 660 penguin powerhead. My substrate is live sand.

**lando** · 03-31-2007, 06:21 PM

I would get a NO3 test kit. If you still have detectable NO2 then wait until it drops to zero. You will notice a large spike in NO3. At that time do a 50% water change and test NH3, NO2 and NO3 after a couple of days.

pinda · 03-31-2007, 06:38 PM

I have already had large spikes in NO2 they are now at zero. NO2 was above 3.3 mg/L. It is now 0.

Kurt_Nelson · 03-31-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinda

I have already had large spikes in NO2 they are now at zero. NO2 was above 3.3 mg/L. It is now 0.

Well, if your nitrites are truly at zero... that's not what you said earlier, that's why lando answered the way he did!

If your ammonia AND nitrites are at zero, then yes... your cycle is done and you should do a water change as noted by lando. You will definitely need a nitrate test kit.

pinda · 04-01-2007, 07:04 AM

I have a nutrafin test kit and you have to go by the colour of the test to determine the nitrite level. I was unsure if to say it was actually 0 or not. What i can tell you is that from the chart my nitrite level is definitely below 0.3mg/L.

**lando** · 04-01-2007, 10:09 AM

Okay...I am confussed. You said you had detectable nitrite, then no nitrite, then nitrite again?

Quote:

I have already had large spikes in NO2 they are now at zero. NO2 was above 3.3 mg/L. It is now 0.

I assume you ment to say you had a spike in amonia (NH3) and now they are at zero. Nitrite (NO2) still detectable? If that is the case, refer to my first post. If not, please clarify.

pinda · 04-01-2007, 11:42 AM

Nitrite was well above 3.3mg/L before, the test tube color was very dark. My test kit has a color chart, there is no color for 0 however the color that my test tube is far clearer than the lowest number which is 0.3, so I am only to assume since it is very clear then it is either 0 or very close to 0 . Am i correct in assuming this?

03-31-2007, 06:15 PM	#1
pinda Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 209	When to perform water change after curing live rock I beleive my live rock is cured now. Very low nitrite levels, very clear clean water after using stress zyme. I dont have a nitrate test kit, I can tell you that lots of small bubbles have formed on the live rock. How soon do i perform a PWC. I have a 55g tank, 65g protein skimmer, 1 double penguin biowhell, 1 70 gal aquaclear and one 660 penguin powerhead. My substrate is live sand.

03-31-2007, 06:21 PM	#2
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,654 Images: 46	I would get a NO3 test kit. If you still have detectable NO2 then wait until it drops to zero. You will notice a large spike in NO3. At that time do a 50% water change and test NH3, NO2 and NO3 after a couple of days. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

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03-31-2007, 06:38 PM	#3
pinda Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 209	I have already had large spikes in NO2 they are now at zero. NO2 was above 3.3 mg/L. It is now 0.

04-01-2007, 07:04 AM	#5
pinda Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 209	I have a nutrafin test kit and you have to go by the colour of the test to determine the nitrite level. I was unsure if to say it was actually 0 or not. What i can tell you is that from the chart my nitrite level is definitely below 0.3mg/L.

04-01-2007, 11:42 AM	#7
pinda Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 209	Nitrite was well above 3.3mg/L before, the test tube color was very dark. My test kit has a color chart, there is no color for 0 however the color that my test tube is far clearer than the lowest number which is 0.3, so I am only to assume since it is very clear then it is either 0 or very close to 0 . Am i correct in assuming this?