Water changes during cycle?

I see what you are saying. I really do, but why would you want to take the "food source" out and inhibit bacteria growth when you are trying to build up the bacteria culture to the max in order the system to efficiently break down ammonia/nitrite/nitrates? Dr. Foster's and Smith suggest to do water changes to control nitrates as well, not ammonia and nitrites. Nitrogen Cycle: The Cycle of Life

 

You're not taking all of the food out.

Water change percentage is exactly equal to nutrient export.

So.

Your ammonia is 2ppm. You do a 50% water change. Your ammonia is now 1ppm.

The next day it's back up to 2ppm. Why? Because the bacteria colony isn't large enough to match consumption with production. If it were the 1 would have been knocked to 0 in less than 24 hours.

 

Read #6 of Step 1
Aquarium Set-up: Step-by-step Guide to Creating a Reef Aquarium

 

Yeah, I got that. What I was asking though is why would you want to do a water change at all during a cycle? It's not like you are going to kill anything during a cycle. There really shouldn't be anything alive in there.

 

Drs. Foster and Smith is talking about the next 4 weeks after the cycle is complete. That is one reason why it is a separate step. I had to read that 3 times to get it right. Step 5 talks about the cycle, then you move to step 6 doing water changes.

 

no the question was, DO I NEED TOO!

No you do not NEED TOO! unless you ar unfortunately doing it with live critters! Then yes you do need too to save their lives! Otherwise why waste the time and money?

 

Well you should read it again because they are actually talking about curing the rock in the tank in all of step 1.

But it's pointless to argue this anymore. I'm not changing what I know is right, those who believe otherwise aren't going to change what they think is right.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

+1 Cosmo, great point. No you don't need to do water changes during a cycle.

 

Ageed to disagree on this one lol. No hard feelings I hope. ;D

 

ok peace bro! Just not seeing anywhere where they are talking about curing the rock! sorry my eyes are sore from these new rapid led uv's i just tested!