Water Change During Fishless Cycle Worth Doing?

[wko70]

Hi All

Am currently part way through a fishless cycle and it is processing 3-4ppm ammonia in under 12 hours but for the last 2 weeks the nitrites have been a constant 5+. Nitrates are approx 10ppm.

Is there any benefit to water changes during the cycle? Will it speed the process up at all?

Many thanks

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

Water changes give you fresher water. Along with that it reduces the tremendous amounts of nitrates which are being created. From my experience high nitrates can stall the cycle completely.

I would say a 25% change a week would be beneficial or just if the Nitrates are high.

 

[sadguppy]

With 10ppm nitrates, I wouldn't bother. When it gets up past 150, I would.

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Is there any benefit to water changes during the cycle? Will it speed the process up at all?

Absolutely it will help.

By changing the water to keep the nitrite at a low level (below 5ppm) you can shave a week off the cycle. High nitrites inhibit the very bacteria which process it and as the nitrite can build to several tens of ppm if you daily dose ammonia then that huge amount also has to be cleared which takes time.

Water changes reduce both of these these problems and also renew nutrients. Furthermore it will stabilise the pH which will be reducing and inhibiting the nitrifying bacteria due to production of Hydrogen ions.

It's win-win, no doubt about it.

 

[wko70]

Tested this morning after a 20% water change two days ago and readings are now

Ammonia 0 ppm (although not quite yellow so possibly trace amount and not .25
Nitrite 0 ppm - This was a constant 5 plus for the last 2 1/2 weeks!
Nitrate - approx 10ppm but I have a Nitrate green sponge in my filter so would this keep it down?

Hopefully nearly there, have dosed Ammonia again to approx 3-4ppm so will see what it looks like after 12 & 24 hours

Might have been a coincidence or a false dawn but the water change certainly seems to have done the trick here.

Cheers