water change during cycling?? (please read)

[phishgroovin]

im cycling a 45 gallon tank with a sponge filter from an established tank (two sponge filters in tank). From my understanding this should only take a week or so MAX... Should I water change during this period?

[fshngal]

are you feeding the established sponge filter with ammonia???
Or what are you using to maintain the ammonia level in the new tank??
Fshngal

[RyanH]

If your sponge was already cycled in another tank then you are ready to go. If you are unsure about whether or not it is cycled then add a couple of teaspoons of ammonia to the tank (without fish present) and test for the presence of nitrItes and NitrAtes over a period of a few of days. If the ammonia and NitrIte levels decrease to zero and your NitrAte levels rise then you are good to go.

Remember, if you leave your sponge filter in an empty tank without fish then your beneficial bacteria will begin to die off. I would let the tank sit over night to let the water age and warm up then add your fish right away.

hth!

[phishgroovin]

well i put the fish in a few hours after the water got to temp. and filters were going. They are only culls so i dont feel too bad, but they didn't eat last night or this morning, they have been in the tank a total of only like 20 hours. any more info?

[kaceyo]

What about those ammonia/nitrate tests? Can,t make any reccomendations w/out that info.

[phishgroovin]

good point, i need to buy some...ill be getting some today or tomorow probably

[phishgroovin]

test kits that is.......

[kaceyo]

If you feel the fish are in danger of dieing i.e. showing rappid breathing and gasping behavior,abnormal swimming etc. you can do a 90% wc using water of same temp.(and dechlorinated) to "save" them.Also,many pet stores will test water for you if you cant buy tests today! Good luck, Kacey

[Carol_Roberts]

If there are fish in the tank continue with the daily water changes. Larger and more frequent changes if sponges are not cycled . . . .

[phishgroovin]

should i feel like an honored person that carol chimed in on my thread? Cuz I do....


Im at work now and will be off in like 4 hours, ill do a waterchange when i get home :D