Water change during cycle?

[jwheeler]

Getting back in hobby after least 10 years out. Using my old 28g nano cube, mostly to get the kids interested.
I can’t remember, do you do water changes during cycling, or just top off with fresh?
Read a long thread where it was debated.

Thanks

[mcgyvr]

Top off with fresh is all you need....
Water changes are fine if excessive nitrite/nitrate levels occurs from over-cycling methods/oops moments

[reret10]

Usually you just top off with fresh water. Generally the idea is to let the bacteria flourish on all of the ammonia and nitrates and such in the tank while it cycles and doing a water change just removes some of their food. As soon as you get your ammonia levels down to nothing and you start adding livestock, water changes become really valuable.

[jwheeler]

I used old dried up live rock that I used to have. I powerwashed it and soaked it in water for couple of weeks and changed water couple times. And I used live sand. Do I need to get a piece of shrimp to put in there or some fish food?

[mcgyvr]

Yes..adding a shrimp or sprinkle some flake food for a few days will kickstart the process..

[dkevink]

Top off with RODI. Never use tap water. Evaporation consentrates what is in your tap water. You can use TDS meter to test. Be patient, cycle can take a month or longer. Test water to follow cycle. Ammonia spike, then nitrite spike, once these go to zero then you can change water to reduce nitrate.