Water change effects?

[ndz98]

If I do a water change on my 5 gallon tank, will it help it cycle more quickly and bring the phosphates and nitrates down? Or should I just let it be until it cycles?

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Let it be until ammonia is not present, nitrites are not present, and nitrates are up. If in question can do small dose of ammonia and make sure the biological bacteria consume it and convert it to nitrate. Once that happens then a water change is due and cycle is compete. Of course, that's a very vague answer based on info given. If were to be able to post age, length of cycle, method of cycle, current pramenters, and any other vital system info could be more specific. I would not be the one to say what amount of ammonia to test your bacteria with however so I will leave that to the professionals. Hope this helps for now though.

 

[Pagerone]

If I do a water change on my 5 gallon tank, will it help it cycle more quickly and bring the phosphates and nitrates down? Or should I just let it be until it cycles?

Let the cycle run its course,the one thing I heard from a ton of reefers in this hobby is patience ,I know it sucks and a think almost everyone wants to run once they get there rock and water in the tank but it will crash or you will have other issues later down the road so just wait and let the cycle go through

 

[Salty1962]

The more patience you have now will eliminate headaches later;) Let it be for now.

 

[cameronh]

Let it be. As stated by salty (and the character in my avatar), patience[emoji12]