Changing water during cycling...

[HawkEye]

I have seen this debated on other forums but I never really seen a straight answer...Should I change the water during a cycle? I have had my tank up for 7 days now, 6 days with 3 zebra danios...the fish look great and don't seem stressed...very playful and ALWAY moving around the tank...no hiding!

The Amonia is around .25 an the pH is 7.6 (seemed high but the person at my LFS said it's fine and that's normal for our area)...I bought a nitrate test kit but didn't realize I needed nitrite first...

Some people say to change every week and others say do not during a cycle...the water is crystal clear (some white clouding during the 3rd-5th days but again I figured it was the bacteria forming)...

What do you all think? I'll keep testing the water every 2 days to watch for amonia spikes and I will purchase a nitrite soon to test for them...

thx

 

[Wasserpest]

I figure normal cycle time is 4 to 6 weeks to give bacteria a chance to colonize surfaces to quickly convert NO2 and NH3 to NO3. If you have real plants in the tank, it might cycle in half that time.
But to answer your question... I guess it depends. If you measure NO2 and NH3 and the levels get uncomfortably high I would say yes, change some water, although the "cycle fishies" are not irreplaceable it would be fair
On the other hand, if you have a tank that's large and only a few fish in it you might leave it alone.
Well there you go... another un-straight answer

 

[dolphin]

Hi HawkEye

I say, change the water, about 10% per week, during the cycle.

 

[HawkEye]

I knew this was going to happen.. ...Everyone's opinion is very different on this topic...and I probably should just pick aside and go with it...

I really do appreciate your opinions...its just confusing...I want what's best for the fish but I also know that sometimes the best is as little intervention from humans as possible...let nature take its course...

I usually sit in fron of my aquarium everyday so I will watch for change of behaviors in my danios...besides they are like watching sea otters play in the snow!!!!

thx for your help

 

[Dragonslair]

As you say, everybody's opinion is different so it down to yourself. I personally would not change the water until the "good" bacteria has a chance to get estabilished, otherwise you will be flushing out the little good bacteria you have. All I would add is that you are careful with the feeding. Little is often better in an establishing tank that normal or lots. The only toxin you need to actually be concerned about is ammonia levels. Once your tank is established and all is working as it should you will find that the levels of the other items will slot themselves into place. If ammonia levels get too high, I suggest you drop some ammo-chips or ammo rocks into your tank and that should take care of ammonia spikes until the tank settles.
Happy Fishkeeping

 

[HawkEye]

Thx Dragon (and everyone else!) that's the way I feel...However like Dolphin said in his/her (sorry not sure if male or female... ) post in the newbie section...we know more now about water chemistry and how it affects marine life that we should be more conscious about it!

thx

 

[juliethegr8t]

I usually sit in fron of my aquarium everyday so I will watch for change of behaviors in my danios...besides they are like watching sea otters play in the snow!!!!

Hey I'm in the same boat as you right now - I've got a new tank cycling with 6 Zebras and a Green Tiger Barb. The Danios are so fun to watch, they are constantly on the move and really have unique personalities! I have a few long finned ones, and those ones are even more hilarious - they flare up like Bettas and seem to think they're pretty hot stuff ! Good luck with your tank!

 

[HawkEye]

Thx juliethegr8t...You say you have 6 danios and a tiger barb? Isn't that a lot for cycling? I heard no more than 3-4 fish...I have a 40 gal with 3 Zebra Danios...

However as I was just watching them eat I noticed 1 dominant one chasing the other 2 away during feeding time!!! ...They always chase each other but never during feeding? I was a little concerned...I always feed on the opposite side of the filter so that the food won't get sucked up right away...the fish know this and wait for me on the right side of the tank...but the dominant one chased the others away...so I put a little food on the other side so that the others could eat...overfed a little but I am usually good about not over feeding....