water change after cycling???

[andyhobbs3]

Hello I have been cycling my tank for about a month now and I the nitrites are finally coming down. My question is how much water should I change once the nitrites reach 0 and the nitrates spike? I have a 36 gallon bowfront with 67 pounds of live rock. Also should I be adding top off water during cycling my water has gotten kind of low. Thanks.

[jenglish]

I would be topping off and once nitrite reach 0 I do a 50% water change and add my first critter (generally crabs and snails) about a week later. This is when you will expereince a diatom bloom but it will be of little effect on your cleaners. just my system, others vary. I wait until I get diatoms and algae before attempting fish and after I get levels where I want them with fish, I add coral. I would be doing a 15-20% water change ecvery week after I add the CUC.

[harlequin29]

^ i agree

[Mr.Peanut]

Originally Posted by jenglish

I would be topping off and once nitrite reach 0 I do a 50% water change and add my first critter (generally crabs and snails) about a week later. This is when you will expereince a diatom bloom but it will be of little effect on your cleaners. just my system, others vary. I wait until I get diatoms and algae before attempting fish and after I get levels where I want them with fish, I add coral. I would be doing a 15-20% water change ecvery week after I add the CUC.

Originally Posted by harlequin29

^ i agree

Me too. And welcome to TRT.

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT!Me too!