Cycling a nano.

[fishboy]

Hi All,

Just wondering if I should do any water changes while my 15 gallon cycles? It's been a little over a week with 13 lbs. of live rock in it. I'm not running the lights yet either.

[Bob I]

I would not think so. Are you using a deep sand bed in that tank?

[fishboy]

Yes, I have about a 3" sand bed. On my large tank I just let the cycle take its course and then started the water change program.

[StirCrazy]

as with any tank moniter your nitrates and if they get to toxic levels do small water changes to bring it down .. if you don't you could kill off everything. Also there is a point that if the nitrate gets so high it will hinder in the growth of backteria and you will get a stalled cycle.

I would recomend doing a 3 to 5 gal water change in a 15 gal tank any time your nitrate goes over 40 ppm, but that is just my opinion.. others might disagree.

Oh, and turn your lights on ;) if you leave them off nothing that came in that needs light will survive.

Steve