cycling/water change

[crage34]

as most of u probably know, im cycling my tank and i have a little garbage in the water and on top of the water...i know that i need to do a 50% water change after my nitrites drop to 0...should i do a water change before then?

[Atari]

It will prolong the cycle if you do water changes at this stage.. you could always skim the surface with a cup or something if it's bothering you.

[dralarms]

Paper towel works well to remove scum and surface trash

[TwtyBrd]

Some people say there is no need to do a water change during cycling, I did water changes during the cycle to try and save as much life as possible in the LR, I have heard this will prolong the cycle a little but thats not really a big deal. The only time I seem to notice junk on top of the water is if the flow is not enough, try and point your power heads up a little to create motion on the waters surface.

[crage34]

my ph are pointed towardthe surface now and i have great flow at the top of my water...i think it is just junk from my sand

[Biggen]

I am not so sure that doing a water change will prolong the cycle. Unless you do a 100% water change, any water you leave in the tank will still contain some ammonia and nitrite. The bacteria count may be a little lower when doing water changes during the cycle than if not since there is less food for them to eat. But I don't think the cycle is extended this way at all...

With all that said, it is up to you if you want to do the change. I did water changes every few days when I cycled my tank. This was so I could keep anything that was alive on my LR when I got it *still* alive when going through the cycling process.

I agree with Biggen. If you have LR, do the water changes. The LR is not just a home for bacteria. If it is a "start from scratch" set up where no life has been introduced, water changes will not benefit anything.

Cheers
Steve

[Atari]

You guys he only has sand in there right now, remember?

[Biggen]

You guys he only has sand in there right now, remember?

Um, no.

I guess he can file this away for future info then.

If he only has sand, I wouldn't bother with the water change then until both ammonia and nitrite drop to zero.

[Overstocker]

If nothing in the tank to kill, then don't go thru the expense of a water change.

[crage34]

yes, atari is correct...i have only sand and i have 30lbs of base rock on the way which i plan to add in the next couple of days...then i will add my lr after the cycle to keep it alive