Water Changes

[Ikarus5150]

I have caulerpra + Protien Skimmer + Filter for Nitrite levels. My Nitrate levels rise a little after a week. Replacing evaporated water with RO returning all levels to normal. and then the Ammonia levels rise ( I use KENT Ammonia Detox bringing all levels to nornmal). PH goes up and hits 8.4 and I do a 20% (RO + IO) water change and seems to help. I have used KENT MARINE Coral-vite. I also have some KENT MARINE Kalkwasser mix which I have not used. My question is:
When is the most beneficial time in the cycle to change the water?
thanks

 

[Garry thomas]

firstly you should never have an ammonia reading, if you are getting one your tank has not properly cycled. And as to your first question, there is no particular time to do a water change, just keep them regular and get into a routine.

 

[Anonymous]

while you are cycling, don't add anything to get rid of ammonia and don't do any water changes yet. Let the bacteria turn all of the ammonia turn into nitrite. Still do no water changes. Then let the bacteria turn your nitrite into nitrate. Only after your ammonia and nitrite go to zero should you do a water change to remove nitrates. The water changes and Kent product are prolonging your cycle.

 

[Moty]

as inwall75 wrote don't do any water change during cycle the reproduction of the bacteria is depended on ammonia and nitrite presence dont use any ammonia/nitrite adsorb media You will finish the cycle when the reading will be 0 and than change water
You should build your filteration system so you want need any ammonia/nitrite adsorb media

 

[reefann]

don't do any water change during cycle the reproduction of the bacteria is depended on ammonia

This is correct but some will say that they would rather have a prolonged cycle by diluting the ammonia with WC's to save other life on the rock. This must be done carefully or you will never cycle the tank. I personally use my gut felling, If I feel to much life will be lost I dilute the ammonia if it reaches a huge pmm, and I had observed a lot of life on the rock. What you are going through now is vital to the life of your tank. Do some searches on cycling and you will find a huge amount of info.
HTH
JJ
BTW I never dose during a cycle I think its a waist but some do. It's really your personal opinion.
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