I got a cycling question.

GOURAMIKEEPER83

Are you or are you not suppose to perform water changes during the cycling process? Also, How often should I perform my water test at the beginning of cycling and during it till completion? After the cycling is complete should I perform a 10% water change twice a week or just once?

Twistersmom

Are you doing a cycle with fish?
If so, my goal has been to keep ammonia and nitrites under .25 ppm. Its best to only use fish, that are said to be tolerant of ammonia and nitrites. Some fish, .25 ppm would be to much.
Test at least daily, while the tank is cycling. Be prepared for daily water changes if needed.

Once the tank is cycled, water changes depend on how heavily the tank is stocked and how much water needs changed out to keep nitrates under 40 ppm. My tanks, depending on what type fish I have in them, get 25%-50% of the water changed out weekly.

GOURAMIKEEPER83

I was planning on doing a fishless cycle.

1077

Is this the tank with the pleco? did the pleco die? Or is this a different tank? I would not add ammonia to a tank that had a live fish in it.

MoneyMitch

if your doing a fishless cycle you dont need anywater changes just wait till all your levels drop and then depending on the size of the tank do a 10 - 25% every week. Money

Twistersmom

If there are no fish in the tank, add enough pure ammonia to bump the tank up to 3-4 ppm. Test daily. Do not add any more ammonia until you see a drop. Then start bumping the ammonia back up to 3-4 ppm daily.
You will see a nitrite spike. Keep adding ammonia and testing daily. The cycle is finished when both ammonia and nitrites test zero, 12 hrs after bumping the ammonia up to 3 ppm.

Then you need to test for nitrates. You will need to do a large water change to lower nitrates under 40ppm, before adding fish.

The biggest mistake in a fishless cycle, is adding to much ammonia. Over 5 ppm, it will stall the cycle. Turning the heat up to the high 80s will speed thing up. The whole process will take anywhere from 3-8 weeks. If you have any cycled filter media, it will help seed the cycle.

GOURAMIKEEPER83

I don't have any used media as of now. My pleco unfortunately died last week. I ok so no water changes to after the cycle is complete, test the water daily, and make sure to not make the amonia no more than 5ppm. Correct?

GOURAMIKEEPER83

Then, when cycle is complete perform at least a 60% water change then add fish right?

Twistersmom

Correct! You may need to change out more than 60%, all depends on the nitrate level once the cycle is complete.

GOURAMIKEEPER83

okie dokie. Thank You so much.