to change or not to change water

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CMC

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We started fishless cycling our 240 gallon tank on Feb 28. The ammonia level dropped to zero around the middle of last week. The nitrites have been at 2.0 to 5.0 for a few days now. There are some nitrates now also.

I have seen conflicting information about water changes during the cycling process. Some people say it should be done and then I've seen where some say not to do it. Does it depend on what stage the cycle is in? At our current stage, should we be doing about a 20% water change daily to get the nitrites down to zero?

The water temp is 80-degrees and there is plenty of aeration going on in there. We're still adding half of the ammonia amount daily now since the ammonia dropped to zero. We have handfuls of used gravel, bogwood and some plants from an established tank along with a bio-wheel.

Thanks :whistle:
 
hello CMC ( remids me of someone :huh: )

i dont think u need to, coz ther arnt any fish in, and put them in when its safe :thumbs:
 
Akhtar's right. The water changes are only recommended if you have fish in there because high ammonia and nitrite levels kill fish. Just wait until you're done cycling, then you can and should do water changes when you add new fish.
 
Don't do water changes during the cycle, but once the cycle is finished, do a major one and then add your fish.

More to the point, 240 gallons, WOW - nice size tank, what are the dimensions and what are you going to keep in it?
 
The dimensions are 6' long, 31" wide and 36" tall (I think). This is mostly my husband's project. I'm not sure I could take care of something that big :eek: !

We are going to move our 10 small angelfish, 2 silver dollars and 5 cory cats from our 55-gallon into the 240-gallon (those are hubby's fish). I have two small african cichlids that will go into the 55-gallon. That will leave the 10-gallon empty. I'm sure I'll find something for it soon!
 
Thanks Gadazobe. I have a betta in a 2-gallon in the kitchen. I had thought about moving it into the 10-gallon, but the 10-gallon is in our bedroom and I would miss seeing the betta while I'm cooking, and there's no room in the kitchen to put the 10-gallon. I like the cory idea. I saw some panda cories at Petco and fell in love with them. I'll see if they can get some more.

Really wish that 240-gallon would hurry and cycle already :whistle:
 
If I own a house I'd definetely get a humugous tank like that, That would make an awesome living room piece :D Just be prepared to be annoyed when you throw a party on your house and your guess starts tapping on the tank :angry: I hate it when people comes to my house and starts to scare my fish by tapping on the glass, I don't wanna comfront them either cause that might be rude...Good luck on your new tank, and may I suggest getting some expensive fishy's like the arowana cause that would be great for that tank size :D
 
G Sharky,

I think we'll put up a sign in front of the tank that says "DO NOT TAP ON GLASS". :D

We're going to transfer the angelfish, silver dollars and cories from a 55-gallon to the 240. We have 10 small angelfish (we went overboard on them) so we had to get a bigger tank because they will get way too big for the 55 when they get full grown. :eek:

Can't wait for it to finish cycling :whistle:
 

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