How to put water in the aquarium without destroying your decor set-up???

[Rocky998]

I'm not sure why you need to remove nearly 100% of the water as you can cycle a tank and not remove any water at all or at most just begin normal weekly water changes. (There should be nothing wrong with the water).
When starting new tanks with sand, I've just placed a plastic garbage bag in the tank over the sand and filled it up.

If you saw a picture of my tank youd understand why i couldnt do that...

 

[Rocky998]

I'm not sure why you need to remove nearly 100% of the water as you can cycle a tank and not remove any water at all or at most just begin normal weekly water changes. (There should be nothing wrong with the water).

Well, im using doses of ammonia to cycle, meaning tat if I take water out, I will also be taking the ammonia out that the tank needs right now

 

[Ch4rlie]

Easiest way of adding water to the tank without disturbing the substrate or sand is simply put a small bowl or a small plate on the substrate and simply pour water onto the bowl / plate itself and the water simply splashes over the side depending on how hard you pour the water onto the bowl/plate with the bucket.

If you’re using a hose, sometimes a rose or sprinkler type attachment works well or aim the hose at one of the internal tank glass and should result in a spray that does not disturb the substrate / sand too much.

But personally I prefer the rose/sprinkler type attachment on end of hose or a small plate on sand if using bucket.

Trail and error on which method you like best.

 

[AbbeysDad]

If you saw a picture of my tank youd understand why i couldnt do that...

Perhaps a photo would be helpful?

Well, im using doses of ammonia to cycle, meaning tat if I take water out, I will also be taking the ammonia out that the tank needs right now

But when cycling is complete, ammonia should be zero. At high levels, ammonia is even toxic to the nitrosomanas and nitrospira bacteria. In any case once 'cycling' is complete there should be no ammonia or nitrites that would require replacing all of the water. I must be missing something?

 

[Rocky998]

Perhaps a photo would be helpful?

But when cycling is complete, ammonia should be zero. At high levels, ammonia is even toxic to the nitrosomanas and nitrospira bacteria. In any case once 'cycling' is complete there should be no ammonia or nitrites that would require replacing all of the water. I must be missing something?

There is 0 ammonia rn BUT I'm adding more ammonia tomorrow and I need the nitrite and nitrates to keep building rn...

 

[Rocky998]

My hardscape completely covers the ground but it makes caves for the gudgeons...

 

[Rocky998]

My hardscape completely covers the ground but it makes caves for the gudgeons...

Oh oops thats my old scape... Hold on

 

[Rocky998]

Here we go!

 

[Essjay]

It is recommended to do a very large water change at the end of the cycle when using ammonia to cycle the tank because a lot of nitrate is made during the cycle and the water change is to get the nitrate back down to tap water level.

From the fishless cycling method on here

If ammonia and nitrite both read 0 ppm, you are cycled. Do a large water change,

 

[DoubleDutch]

If you cut the bottom from a plastic bottle and you hold it standing in a tank letting water run into it by a hose the tank can be filled without a lot of disturbace.

 

[Rocky998]

If you cut the bottom from a plastic bottle and you hold it standing in a tank letting water run into it by a hose the tank can be filled without a lot of disturbace.

That's a great idea!

 

[DoubleDutch]

That's a great idea!

It is not mine hahaha

 

[Rocky998]

Well, thank you for passing it along

It is not mine hahaha

 

[Fishmanic]

You need to replace almost 100% of the water when cycling is completed so you can remove excess nitrates which are the end products of cycling.

 

[AbbeysDad]

You need to replace almost 100% of the water when cycling is completed so you can remove excess nitrates which are the end products of cycling.

Good point!