After cycle water change questions...

[Rocky998]

My cycle just finished and I really dont want to take ALL the water out... So, could I actually take out 50% of the water one day and then the day after that do another 50% WC?

 

[Sgooosh]

My cycle just finished and I really dont want to take ALL the water out... So, could I actually take out 50% of the water one day and then the day after that do another 50% WC?

kind of but i reccomend do a 50 then a 75 cos you'll end up removing only 75 percent of the water by the second day
also where did you read you need to do 100% water change? i feel like a 75 for a few days is good enough idk

 

[Rocky998]

kind of but i reccomend do a 50 then a 75 cos you'll end up removing only 75 percent of the water by the second day
also where did you read you need to do 100% water change? i feel like a 75 for a few days is good enough idk

I know not to change all the water but it feels like it'll take it all... Ok, so I'll remove 50% the first day and 75% the 2nd day?

 

[Fishmanic]

I would do a 100% water change all at once which will remove the built up nitrates. The tank will still be cycled as the BB is in the filter and on the substrate.

 

[Rocky998]

I would do a 100% water change all at once which will remove the built up nitrates. The tank will still be cycled as the BB is in the filter and on the substrate.

But would I be able to split the WCs? I just cant do it... It would destroy all the hardscape I put together and crush my plants...

 

[Tacocat]

But would I be able to split the WCs? I just cant do it... It would destroy all the hardscape I put together and crush my plants...

Why? Just take the water out, and put it back in. You don't have to gravel clean. If anything just wait a bit until the roots settle in

 

[Fishmanic]

It's best to change all the water at once. Change at least 90% of the water. Do a nitrate test after the WC and make sure it is at 20 ppm or less. If not below 20ppm, do another WC.

 

[Rocky998]

It's best to change all the water at once. Change at least 90% of the water. Do a nitrate test after the WC and make sure it is at 20 ppm or less. If not below 20ppm, do another WC.

Ok, I'll try to diffuse the water with a paper plate ig

 

[Fishmanic]

once your tank is cycled, you should add fish soon after to keep feeding the BB. If you arent getting fish for awhile, do another dose of ammonia. Large water change before adding fish.

 

[itiwhetu]

This is one of the pieces of this cycling process I really don't understand. You have a tank all set up with nicely aged water and now you are going to throw that out and start again. I still don't get this large water change philosophy. I know there are no fish, but the shock to any life in this tank must be huge including the bacteria if you do 100% water change. I am going to be interested in seeing how the fish get on when added to this tank. I find the entire process fascinating.

 

[Fishmanic]

If you don't do a large WC, your nitrates will be off the charts. The very large WC is for removing the nitrates.
According to your sig @itiwhetu , "Remember, fish live in pure water."

 

[itiwhetu]

If you don't do a large WC, your nitrates will be off the charts. The very large WC is for removing the nitrates.
According to your sig @itiwhetu , "Remember, fish live in pure water."

Yep, that is right and that is why this method of cycling tanks fascinates me so much. What I have yet to see and hopefully the OP is going to do it. That is what happens when you load this tank to full capacity in one hit. How does the system react and more importantly the fish?

 

[Rocky998]

Yep, that is right and that is why this method of cycling tanks fascinates me so much. What I have yet to see and hopefully the OP is going to do it. That is what happens when you load this tank to full capacity in one hit. How does the system react and more importantly the fish?

I'm not adding all the fish at once... Just a little at a time...

 

[Rocky998]

once your tank is cycled, you should add fish soon after to keep feeding the BB. If you arent getting fish for awhile, do another dose of ammonia. Large water change before adding fish.

So, I plan on doing a WC today and getting the fish in 1-3 days... Is this ok? Also, after I do a WC is it ok to add anither dose of ammonia just to make sure its good to go?

 

[Essjay]

If you add more ammonia it will make more nitrate, so do the water change shortly before going fish shopping - but leave enough time for the temperature to stabilise.

If it will be longer than 3 days, add just 1 ppm every 3rd day.

If for any reason you are unable to stock the tank when it is cycled, you can continue adding ammonia to keep the tank cycled. For this you should add the 1/3 snack amount every 2-3 days. The bacteria do not need to be fed every day and will be fine. Don’t forget the water change before adding the fish.