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Oks, this might be a dumb question, but when i start to cycle my tank should i start my weekly water change? Or should i wait till the nitrate lvl is getting a little higher for my first change?

Most cases call for waiting till after the tank has been fully cycled ...ammonia and nitrIte zero, nitrAtes present (generally a few weeks) before doing a water change. If you do need to do a change while cycling in order to reduce stress on some more delicate fish it's a toss up between higher levels for a shorter time vs. somewhat lower levels for longer peroiods.
Using cycle hardy fish you likely wont have a problem @all .

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i have always found water changes to be bad when you are cycleing. especially when you are in a mini cycle because you could lengthen the process and makes things worse.you could cause green water if you are using liquid fertilizer.

Oks thats kind of what i thought, but wanted to be sure. Thanks for the info.

I've always found that by adding "cycle" to the tank helps keep the nitrite levels to an acceptable point rather than nearly killing the fish. Using this product has meant I'v never needed to do a waterchange mid-cycle.

Also kind of wondering what would be a good test kit for tanks. Ive heard that the paper ones can be inaccurate. Anyone got a recomendation?

Hi,
You may not have noticed this similiar thread in the
General Freshwater forum. It addresses test kit problems:

http://fishprofiles.com/files/forums/General%20Freshwater/58910.html

Personally, I prefer the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
brand of test kits. I have the "Freshwater Master Test Kit"
and their Nitrate test kit. With the master kit, you can
test high and low range pH, ammonia, nitrites, GH and KH.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi,
I agree with Frank, Aquarium Pharmeceuticals makes a good test kit, as well as Doc Wellfish, and Hagens expensive but excellent quality master test kit are all good.
Hagens kit comes with tests you may never find a use for, so I think it is the best. I found Doc Wellfish is the one I use, and it has Ph low range, hi range, ammonia, nitrite, and general hardness, and runs about $15-18USD, then I bought a AP nitrate test to supplement as well as a test for iron.
If you plan to have a planted tank, iron is a good test to keep around.

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