Question about water change

PaulKlug · 08-02-2005, 02:29 PM

I have had my 125 gallon tank running for a couple weeks now. I just got my test kits. Ammonia is pretty much 0 but my nitrate is a little high. I have not done any water changes yet. Do you think I should do one? If I do it will be ~20 gallons because that is the only size garbage can I have for RODI water. Or should I just let it keep cycling till its all 0s accross the board?
Thanks for any imput

Paul

the_colonel · 08-02-2005, 02:35 PM

We need a little more information: What's in the tank? Did you get the live rock cured? Any livestock at all? It sounds like you have not even begun to cycle.

wharyat · 08-02-2005, 02:37 PM

A series of small (10%) WC's will be good; more for siphoning off all the detritus that you can.

Usually a month is a good cycle period (more is always better tho) even if you see 0s before that time.

motorslave · 08-02-2005, 02:41 PM

My first cycle was also with 45lbs of fiji that I got as soon as it hit the LFS. I did several water changes over a 6 to 8 week period and even took the rock and scrubbed some of the dead stuff off a couple of times. I ran my lights also. What I had when I was done was some realy clean and very nice rock. Do a water change. If ammonia is at 0 you may not have realy gotten into the full cycle yet. The reason for the water change is that you want to keep as many critters alive as possible. Changing the water will help prevent killing everything on the rock. Youd be amazed at the amount of hitch hikers that will show up on your rock later. Give them a chance. Remember to take your time let the tank get established. Even after the initial cycle there are still several phases of the true cycle to go through. the longer you wait to add livestock, the healthier your tank and all its inhabitants will be.

Robert

motorslave · 08-02-2005, 02:44 PM

There have been articles about the cycle actualy including the algae and diatom blooms we all go through after initial start up. Your tank wont realy be established for a year or so. Thats not to say you have to wait a year to add animals but like Vince said the longer the better. I wouldnt add critters for at least two months. Patience is the hardest part of it all but its extremely beneficial!

Robert

PaulKlug · 08-02-2005, 02:56 PM

Ok I put in 45 lbs of dead rock about 2+ months ago. Then 50 lbs of uncured live rock 2 month ago. Then about a month ago I put in another 45 or so lbs of uncured live rock. There is nothing but rock in my tank. I have a 55 gallon sump with an MR-2 Skimmer running. I just recieved my test kits so It could have almost cylced by now. But it will still be a while before I even get my clean up crew. Dont cycles go ammonia spike, nitrite spike, nitrate spike?? Thats off the top of my head not too sure probably am wrong. But main question is do you tihnk I shoudl do a 55 gallon WC soon or not. if ya have any more questions feel free to ask.
Thanks
Paul

reefBoyDc · 08-02-2005, 03:36 PM

How high are your nitrates?

Yes you are correct in the sequence of spikes, although they may not be as defined as they sound in theory... they overlap quite a bit. It's too bad you didn;t have your test kits before, so you could have determined when the spikes occurred. As you are suspecting, they probably have already occured and now the residue is nitrates.

If you put in the last of the LR one month ago, then I'd say that any initial cycle would have already taken place. So assuming you are at the end of your cycle, yes, do a water change. If all you can do is 20 g at a time, then do it multiple times. You probably want to change out 50% of the water. Keep in mind that several small water changes will not as effective as one massive WC, because the 2nd, 3rd, 4th water changes will also be removing new water.

The LR will eventually take care of converting the rest of the nitrates into gas. Add a cleanup crew a week or 2 after your water changes, assuming your ammonia and nitrite are still 0, and then add the rest of your livestock slowly. Maybe a couple clowns at first. They are hardy and fun.

HTH.

PaulKlug · 08-02-2005, 03:42 PM

I dont remember exactly but nitrate test was a pretty bright pink when it was finished (salifert)

reefBoyDc · 08-02-2005, 03:52 PM

They were probably pretty high then, meaning that a lot nitrite has been converted. I'd say your initial cycle is done. Change as much water as you can.

PaulKlug · 08-02-2005, 03:54 PM

ok will make my water today to do a water change tomorow. Then again before the weekend. 40 gallons total. then another 40 next week. then hopefully a cleanup crew in 2 weeks. sound good? Ill keep testing and postin gto this thread along the way.
Thanks
Paul

Loverotties · 08-02-2005, 05:27 PM

Sounds good!

reefBoyDc · 08-02-2005, 05:35 PM

Sounds good!

the_colonel · 08-02-2005, 07:42 PM

Yep, get the clean-up crew going!

tdwyatt · 08-02-2005, 10:34 PM

best to get in the habit early, start every 2 weeks 10% water changes,. just make it a part of your weekly cleanup hsbandry for the system.