No water changes during cycle?

[Mr. Microscope]

The article in the library on cycling says to not do any water changes during the cycling period. I've seen other articles stating that the cycle can take up to a month or more.

Seriously? Only topoffs during the cycle? A month of no water changes?

[Scott Riemer]

Without getting too technical, there's a "hard" cycle and a "soft" cycle. Hard cycling is usually the easiest way. You wait for the die-off on your rock to cause an ammonia spike, then a nitrite spike, followed by a nitrate spike. your first water change will follow the nitrate spike to dilute/reduce them to a level safe enough to add some livestock. Could take a couple weeks or a couple months.

[Mr. Microscope]

I'm doing a hard cycle (just started today). So, just to confirm, no water changes until 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and a nitrate spike?

[seabass]

I've found that the 'best' method might be a staged cycle (no water changes until the ammonia level begins to drop, and then start performing water changes).

[Scott Riemer]

I'm doing a hard cycle (just started today). So, just to confirm, no water changes until 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and a nitrate spike?

Well, like I was saying:

 

Without getting too technical