Question about salt water cycling

Thanks for all of the advice. My next question after the cycling was going to be about pods because most of the stuff in my tank, with the exception of two pounds of live rock I added in (in addtion to about 10 pounds of dry BRS rock) was not living. I just didn't know where to get them from.

 

So I'm reading in the forums that if the nitrites get above 5ppm then it may be necessary to do a water change as the bacteria that convert the nitrites to nitrates slows down. Is this accurate, and if so, how much water should I change. As stated earlier, my ammonia was at about .25 ppm and looking at a strip test for the nitrite, it was at 10ppm and looking at the liquid test, it was a bit darker than the highest 5ppm on API color chart.

If a water change would be beneficial, will i disturb the cycle at all if I add unheated water and mix the salt in the tank again, or am I better off preheating/adding salt to the water ro/di before adding it to the tank?

 

Don't mix salt in the tank again. Always mix it outside the tank from here on out. Best to get in the habit now of heating it first, too.

 

So I have a fresh batch of saltwater that I made with ro/di water for a water change. I just wanted to see if anyone would recommend against or for doing the change. As stated earlier, my ammonia level is essentally 0 ppm at this point, my nitrite is at 10 ppm based on a test strip since my liquid API test only goes up to 5ppm.

From what I have heard, the part of the cycle where the nitrites turn to nitrates takes a considerable amount of time. My main concern as that the bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrites will die off if I do not give it any ammonia while waiting for my nitrites to drop to zero, if this makes any sense.

I am waiting for another water heater to be shipped to me. Would there be an adverse effect to anything in the cycle going on to adding the water not preheated and just at room temperature? Also, how much should I change over if a change is truly needed? There are no fish in the system yet since I am doing a fishless cycle.

 

I would not do a water change and I would add more ammonia. The way I look at it, you are starting an ecosystem. You want the ecosystem to be balanced with the proper type and amount of bacteria. The easiest way to achieve balance is to feed the tank just like you would if it were a fully stocked, successful, and mature tank.

Type A bacteria multiply according to the amount of available ammonia.
Type B bacteria multiply according to amount of available nitrite.
Type C bacteria multiply according to the amount of available nitrate. (only in anaerobic regions)

Achieve balance by consistent feeding and nature will naturally balance out.