When to

Quick question, should I wait until my tank fully cycles before doing a water change?

 

I would not do a water change mid cycle unless you have live stock currently in the tank.

 

Definitely wait. Any significant changes during the initial cycle will likely prolong the process.

 

If you post a message in Dr Tims forum he will tell you exactly the opposite of the above advice. Is there really a need to do a WC?? Depends on how high the ammonia and nitrite is. If too high they become toxic to even the bacteria and can prolong the cycle but if the ammonia is say only 2 or 4 and nitrite is only 1 or 2 than there is no need to do a WC. Also doing a WC will never really prolong a cycle, the bacteria live in rockwork and sand not in the water column so doign a WC will have little to no effect on your bacteria population as long as the water you add to the tank is of proper pH, SG, etc just like if you had fish or corals already in the tank

 

Did do a "Fish" cycle using the One & Only. Ammonia and 'trites are following right on schedule. Just noticing a lot of diatoms, not much cyano, just diatoms. Didn't know if WC would help with that.

 

Maybe but I would leave it be, thats what a CUC is for when the time comes the diatoms will die off on their own once silicates are used up

 

Cool! Thanks all!

 

IF the ammonia or Nitrite gets too high it will kill off the bacteria but if it's not too high and you are cycling then WC's can prolong the cycle.The bacteria may not live in the water column but their food does.Removing the ammonia or Nitrite from the water by doing a WC is just starving the bacteria and will not allow the tank to fully cycle.So as long as you cycle with the proper ammounts of ammonia then no you do not want to do a WC while cycling.