Water change question

[trancecommander]

I'm currently in the third week of fishy cycling and was wondering ... how often / how much would everyone suggest I change the water? I've read through previous posts that it helps reduce the ammonia/nitrite in the water and at the same time it does not impede the cycling process. Is that correct?

Currently I'm doing about a 25% change once a week ... would you suggest doing changes more often?

Secondly, a friend of mine told me that even with freshwater fish, I should put some aquarium salt in the tank. He said something like a tablespoon per 5 gallons? Is that true? What does adding salt exactly accomplish?

As always, I really appreciate your responses!

[OrionGirl]

Have you been testing the water? During a fish cycling, the test results should guide water changes, so you can keep the ammonia/nitrites from becoming lethal. Lacking test kits, I would go with more than 25% weekly--I would likely do 25% daily.

No, water changes won't extend the length of the cycle. There is still enough ammonia present to feed the bacteria, and that's what counts.

Read : http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycling.html for more.

On salt--there are lots of myths and theories out there. Congrats on questioning 'what should be done!'. Salt, IMO, is not needed as a regular additive to the tank. Some more reading: http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/salt.shtml

[PumaWard]

First off, you would determine your water changing regime by testing your ammonia and nitrite levels. You should keep ammonia below 1ppm and nitrite below .5ppm (I think, if it's wrong, someone please correct me).

About the aquarium salt, it is used as a general 'tonic' for sick, stressed fish. If you are registering nitrIte, then it will help the fish take up oxygen better as nitrIte inhibits it. If you have catfish or loaches in your tank, add 1 taBlespoon/10g. If you don't, add 1 taBlespoon/5g. If you have a cycled tank with healthy fish, aquarium salt (tablesalt is the same stuff anyway) is not needed and I wouldn't recommend using it.

HTH

[trancecommander]

Thank you both very much for your replies. I'm at work right now so I don't remember of the top of my head what the ammonia/nitrite levels were when I tested last. I have been keepin a record of it. Alls I remember is that my ammonia is not too alarming (just the normal levels I should expect at this stage of the cycling) ... however ... the nitrite was a little too high.

I think I'll take up on OrionGirl's suggestion and do a 25% water change everyday. I think that should really help keep the harmfull stuff down to a minimum and hopefully eliminate it as the cycle completes.

The salt bit ... I heard too that it was more like a tonic. My fish seeem to be doing real well right now ... swimming around freely ... chasing each other and stuff ... so I think I'll hold off on the salt as long as its not a neccesity.

Also, thanks for the links OrionGirl ... I will certainly read up on the articles when I get home this evening.

I'm just so glad I found this forum ... its amazing how fast I get answers to my questions ... you guys rock !! Thanks again !!