Cycling a new tank Water Change or not?

B

bearyconfused

AC Members
Jan 9, 2005
23
0
0
Hi Everyone...Quick question on Cycling a 90 gallon tank. I'm into my 3rd week of cycling as of yesterday and up til then i was doing it fishless but using nylon socks with fish food each day plus i received 2 large filters from a cycled tank at the fish store (and they were gross). Yesterday we finally couldn't wait anylonger and put in around 24 white cloud minnows (they are so fun to watch).
The question i have is how long does it normally take to cycle? I'm into week 3 like i said and i have a small amount of ammonia and nitrite and a slight trace of nitrate.
I was told by 3 different people to do a 10 % waterchange a 30% water change, i would think this would reduce your ammonia and slow the cycle process down. How often should i do them? Or should i?
We are also using the appropriate amounts of cycle in the tank once a week too. Any suggestions or input would be great. Thank you for your time.
 
Doing water changes now won't slow down your cycle and since you've added fish it is even more important to do some water changes to ensure their health and survival. I would do a 50% water change now, and another in a few days. Two 50% water changes a week until your tank has stabilized would be ideal.

Also, 'Hagen's Cycle' is pretty much a worthless product and may infact slow your cycle down as it doesn't contain the correct nitrifying bacteria if it contains any living bacteria at all. 'Biospira' is the product you want to use.
 
Last edited:
You should watch your levels and do those waterchanges. It won't slow down the cycle because the bacteria is in the filter not floating in the water. Keep checking your levels daily and change the water if they start to get high. If you don't do the water changes, your fish could die.
Once the ammonia and nitrites are gone do 30 - 50% waterchanges weekly.
 
i'm in the process of cycling my tank as well .. its a 20 gallon about a week in

would you recomend using a gravel vac or just take the water out with a cup?
 
bearyconfused said:
plus i received 2 large filters from a cycled tank at the fish store (and they were gross). Yesterday we finally couldn't wait anylonger and put in around 24 white cloud minnows (they are so fun to watch).
The question i have is how long does it normally take to cycle? I'm into week 3 like i said and i have a small amount of ammonia and nitrite and a slight trace of nitrate.
Click to expand...

The used filters have imported the needed bacteria to the tank. Probably time to clean the filters now, if they were gross to begin with. Remove maybe 20% of water from tank, clean filter media/sponge/cartridge in that water as clean as you can get it. Dump the nasty water. Add fresh tap water to the tank, properly dehlorinated and at correct temp. Keep testing for ammonia and nitrites, do small water changes as needed to keep under control. Feed lightly until the ammonia is disappeared. Consider gravel vacuuming next week if it needs it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom