Water Change. Yes/No?

[ERICinFL]

My wife's 29gal tank appears to be done cycling. My Ph is 8.2, Nitrite at 0ppm, Ammonia at 0ppm, but my Nitrates are around 100ppm. I was at one of my LFS debating on whether or not to get a, "Tester" fish and I mentioned I was going to do a 10gal water change. I figured it was the only way to get the Nitrates down to an acceptable level for a fish. The guy there told me not to do it, because it will throw off the cycle. It's been four weeks since I set it up. I have LS and LR in it right now and that's it. Should I go ahead and do the water change or let it sit longer? I thought a water change was the right thing to do. Thanks.

 

[blackie lawless]

Did you test during the cycle, and if so, did you see your ammonia spike?

 

[ttomkat1]

When you get your "tester" don't get any damsels.

GRRRRRR :mad2:


good luck,

---ttomkat1

 

[Nu2SW]

do a water change, How long has the tank been cycling

 

[ERICinFL]

blackie: No, no ammonia spike.

ttomkat: I'm thinking Pygmy or Coral Beauty Angel.

Nu2SW: Four weeks.

 

[nauti1us]

I'm a big fan of aggresive water changes. For example, I have a 12g aquapod sitting on my desk at work. I took my time and cycled it for two months. Once my levels looked aok, I perfomed at 90% water change. Afterwhich I added a few tiny fish and few corals. Four months later the small tank is doing great... I've always been a proponent of large water changes and it's worked for me for over 15 years. Additonally, I'm a huge proponent of being extremely patient when cycling a new tank. I usually look at 8 weeks minimum to truely get a stable "starting point". And even then I suggest going very slowly. I think a lack of patience on the part of many new hobbyists is what leads to the utlimate failure of many new hobbyists. IMHO.

 

[Nu2SW]

Id wait atleast 2-3 more weeks, make sure all crap is dead on the rocks and suck and you dont get any spikes, but id change the water 25%