When To Do Water Change During Fishless Cycle?

[mike_nofx]

Just wondering when i should do a water change? im 4 days into the fishless cycle (still no nitrite spike) and wanted to know when to change the water, and how much water do i change? 10%? 20%?

Thanks

 

[Tolak]

No need to change the water during a fishless cycle, changing the water will make it take longer to cycle.

 

[mike_nofx]

Dont you even do a small change before adding fish?

 

[Tolak]

Before adding fish do a big change, at least 75%. During the cycle leave the same water in there. You asked when to do water changes during a fishless cycle.

After it has cycled you do a water change, the amount really depends on how high your nitrate level is. If it is around 200ppm, which isn't uncommon, a 90% water change before adding fish would bring it down to 20ppm, which isn't bad. Only doing 50% would drop it to 100ppm which is bad.

 

[reddannyh]

Wait until ammonia and nitrite are 0 and your nitrates are high, then do a large 50-75% water change test again, your nitrate should be heavily reduced. Depending on result you may need to do another smaller water change or add fish.