Wait until after your cycle. Probably another three weeks. By doing a waterchange now, you are preventing the cycle.
When should I do my first water change?
My bio cube has been running for 1 week and 4 days now. Friday I had a small ammonia spike 0.25ppm. Yesterday (Sunday) I tested it again and my ammonia was back to 0. Nitrate is 0 and Nitrite is 0. I will test again in a few hours but if they still read 0 is it time for my first water change?
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Alright I thought once ammonia spiked and went back to 0 that was the cycle? Sorry for the questions im still learning and want to make sure I do it right.
Did you use cured lr? What about sand? What test kits ate you using is at least wait a week with everything at 0 before doing a wc.
Yes I have 24 pounds of cured live and 20 pounds of live sand. I am using API saltwater master test kit and the reef master test kit.
If you used live rock and sand it could be done with a mini cycle, but I would not trust those API test kits.
WOW you are the first i have herd saying not to trust API test kits...If you used live rock and sand it could be done with a mini cycle, but I would not trust those API test kits.
API equals junk, don't trust your reading especially for nitrate. It will tell you that you're at 0 or 10 when it's at 70
What kits would you suggest?
Most people recommend Salifert test kits, but I think API kits are fine. It's all I've used, and I've never had an issue in close to 10 years of reefing.
APIs are fine.What kits would you suggest?
Any kit can have a bad run, but honestly, I've used 15 different kits and while Salifert tends to be the best for a few parameters, IMHO, most any of them that are fresh & not outdated work just about the same.
Most LFS will actually test your water for you if you take in a sample - never hurts to get a 2nd opinion (or 3rd) when you are new to the hobby.
Good luck!
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