Water Change

When should you do a water change, I added a deli shrimp about week ago and it is still there. My parameters are ammonia .5, nitrite .5,nitrate 5 so I believe its still cycling but im not sure anymore.

 

You don't need to do one until ammonia and nitrite are 0.

 

Well.... a few things.

1) You are still cycling.... a true complete cycle takes months. Certainly still cycling until you get zeros.

2) In cycling, you are growing bacteria colonies in the sand and live rock. 99% of the bacteria is in the sand and live rock. So, Here is how I see it.... you are measuring ammonia, nitrites and nitrates as secondary indications of the health and size of your bacteria colonies. Water changes dillute those measures and make it harder to tell what is going on. If you did a water change with salt water from RO/DI, of course your parameters would improve... but your bacteria colonies would be unchanged. In fact, those bacteria colonies would have less food to grow with and the water change would in fact extend the amount of time it would take for the bacteria colonies to mature.

Given all of that.... no I would not do a water change... it'll mask what's truly going on and lengthen how long it takes to get a mature colony.... but understand that water changes don't really change what is going on.

Does that help?? Hope so.

Overall.... wait two weeks after you get all zeros... I know that BORING... but going slow will pay off big time....

Mark

 

Okay thanks, should I keep the shrimp in there still or take it out.

 

You only need a small piece to start a cycle. If it's a big shrimp you could take it out and cut a smaller piece to put back in there. It will probably stink when you take it out.

 

A little editing of ManNurseReefer's post. I agree with him except the probably part... I would leave a 1/2" cube piece in there or a little more. break that off under water. Then straight to the garbage disposal with the rest.

M

 

OKay cool thanks Ill do that right a way, and yea I know about the stink but hey its doing its job.

 

I buried it so that takes care of it.