Water change?

Hey was wondering should I do a water change while my tanks cycling? Ammonia is at 0, waiting for nitrates and nitrites to fall

 

I didn't. I would wait until your nitrites hit 0. You don't want to lose that beneficial bacteria.

 

Nice one, thanks

 

Welcome

 

Definately no water change until after your first major cycle is over (usually about a month) at which point do at least a 20-25% WC.

 

Do a water change, and add a bit of livestock, after nitrites fall. Don't wait until after nitrates go down.

 

Ah right ok thanks, it's my second marine tank but the first one was a tropical setup for a few years so can't remember what I did when cycling it

 

Why is that?

 

The idea is to not remove ammonia/nitrites while they're still being processed by the bacteria, and thus while the colonies are still growing in size.

 

Weather you do a water change or not, just add the livestock slowly. The nutrifying bacteria will catch up as long as you do not add fish or inverts too quickly or over feed. Just watch parameters and be prepared to do a water change if needed. JM2C