Water Changes During The Nitrogen Cycle?

During the course of the nitrogen cycle do any water changes need to be done... and if so, when during the cycle should they be done because I'm a little confused if it will get rid of all the growing bacteria or not.

 

a water change wont hurt, but no need to do one as long as the ammonia doesnt spike to high. If you see ammonia spike to 5ppm or above and stay there for a few days it will help to do a water change and will get the cycle back going.

 

There is very little bacteria in the water column, it is on your rocks and in your sand. Keep track of your ammonia if it approaches 5 ppm then do a 25% water change. If your nitrite approaches 10ppm then do a 25% water change.

 

+1.

Or when you are trying to cycle with livestock.

 

If you are cycling with livestock then you do not want to go above .5ppm ammonia or you will permanently damage their gills.

 

Thanks... any water changes need to be done if nitrate gets too high?

 

Always when it gets too high. But you should not have a problem with that for a couple of weeks at least. Try to keep it below 10ppm also. Nitrate is much less of a problem but can still be poisonous if it gets too high. You want ammonia and nitrite to be 0 on test kits once your cycle is complete.

 

Changing water during the initial cycle prolongs the process. The ammonia is food for the developing and hungry bacteria population, they will multiply and grow to fit the ammonia present. Ride it out.

 

I wait to do a water change until my cycle is complete.