how to do water changes correctly

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shanna123

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Apr 17, 2009
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I got 5 cherry barbs yesterday after setting up my 29 gallon tank 2 days before. I was reading about water changes during the cycling period online and there's so much conflicting info.

So I'm guessing to do 25 percent water changes every day until the tank cycles.

But do I test before or after the water change? Or before AND after?

I know I have to get the temp right and add water conditioner, but do I have to do anything with the heater? Do I turn it off for a certain amount of time or leave it on? Take it out? Leave it in?

Any other tidbits I should know?

I'm so confused...to much conflicting info everywhere.
 
me, i'm a control freak, so i test my water before AND after i make any changes. if you're going to lower the water level anywhere near the top of the heater, i'd definitely turn it off. if the glass of the heater gets exposed, it can shatter. also, having your heater on in water that's too low for too long can overheat the water, and that's bad for fishies, unless you prefer them with tartar sauce. so i guess it would depend on where your heater is in the tank, and how much water you're taking out.

i'm sure a more experienced keeper will come along soon and give you more specific instructions. =) (and probably bawl you out for not cycling your tank properly before getting fish, as well...)
 
Thanks. Unfortunately there's so much conflicting info out there. The owner of the fish store and the freshwater book for dummies both said it's impossible to cycle a tank without fish. I found out about fishless cycling a little too late.
 
You need to test your water 2x every day until it is cycled. If you get any ammonia or nitrite readings beyond .25ppm, you need to do a 50% change. Ammonia & nitrites are toxic to fish and so that is what you're looking for and why you need to test often and change water often.

Once NitrAtes start showing up in your readings, you are good to go.
Good luck.
 
Frankly, I unplug everything before I do a water exchange. It's safer, I think.
 
So just to confirm, 25% water changes once a day unless the ammonia or nitrate readings are .25 or above...then do 50%?
 
You will need to do water changes to keep your ammonia and nitrite level as close to ZERO as possible. So 25 percent per day may or may not be enough. Test the water 2-3 times per day and change when necessary, making sure to add dechlorinator, and the water is as close as possible to the tank temp (I go by feel). Yes I would unplug the heater. I would advise trying to get some filter media from an established tank to speed things up. Fishy cycling is a whole lot of work when done correctly good luck :)
 
Do they sell filter media in fish stores?

Do water changes take out the good bacteria that help keep ammonia levels down?
 
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