Will I lose my cycle if I do a 100% water change

Hello, I changed my mind about how I want to do my aquarium. Originally I wanted to do a blackwater aquarium, but I decided I don't liek the look. If I do a large water change to remove the tanins, take the driftwood out, change the substrate, but leave the filter in a bucket of tank water, will I lose my cycle?

 

It should be okay for a while as long as the media is kept wet.

Simply doing regular water changes should remove the tannins over time too, no 100% change needed. Moving your fish back and forth will stress them.

 

You could also add some activated carbon to your filter along with the water change.

 

I should have noted that there aren't any fish in the aquarium thanks for the tips

 

What does activated carbon do? And how do you put it in an over the back filter

 

Activated carbon afaik pretty much absorbs stuff that's in your water I guess. People use it to remove medication. That would have been my choice to remove tanins but my lfs charges way too much

 

Changing your substrate can lose a lot of your beneficial bacteria although you still should have a lot in your filter. I crashed my cycle by removing gravel during worm treatment but other people have managed to change substrate without a problem.

Since you don't have fish yet it shouldn't be an issue but it might take a while to get the bacteria back up to the level they were. Where are you in your cycle? If your cycle is nearly done it might be worth changing half of your substrate at a time. Otherwise I would say just go for it. Now is the time to mess about and get your tank exactly how you want it before you get your fish in there

 

Some of the HOB filters have the carbon inside the filter pad. For larger ones that you can add different bags of media, then the carbon might be one of those options in the bag.

I think if the driftwood looks nice in your opinion, you could keep it in the tank. Your fish will like it also. Without any fish in the tank right now, just do some water changes to keep removing the brackish color of the water and eventually you'll get the driftwood to where it doesn't change the color anymore but looks great in the tank.