Hey pplz got a 55 gallon with 6 hornwort, 1 java fern and about 8 other plants don't know their names :\ with 6 zebra danios. The tank hasn't been cycled yet and was wondering when I should do a water change. Once a week or more because it hasn't cycled yet. I've read other posts but the more I read the more confused I get. Sorriez I gotz the dumb. Oh and should I get a water testing kit to keep the plants and fish alive?
pure nub water change?
- Thread starter bunlet
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If you can see that your plants have been growing, and no parts are falling apart or decaying, a good water change a week is adequate.
I have an established tank and I do 50% water changes to remove any excess fertilizers that I have put in for the plants in the week previous, befor I put in more for the next week. I do think tests can be usefull, since they can tell you what is going on. The tests I have are for amonia and nitrIte, the two byproducts of fish poo and any decaying materials that are harmfull to fish. An established tank should have 0 readings of those two chemicals.
When you are ready to think about feeding the plants, check out Tom Barr's Estimative Index way of adding what plants need. No test kits needed for that.
I have an established tank and I do 50% water changes to remove any excess fertilizers that I have put in for the plants in the week previous, befor I put in more for the next week. I do think tests can be usefull, since they can tell you what is going on. The tests I have are for amonia and nitrIte, the two byproducts of fish poo and any decaying materials that are harmfull to fish. An established tank should have 0 readings of those two chemicals.
When you are ready to think about feeding the plants, check out Tom Barr's Estimative Index way of adding what plants need. No test kits needed for that.
I think I would test the water first, before going through a change. Why not make sure you know your water parameters before adding fresh water and changing things?
Also... If they tank hasn't cycled yet, should he be doing a water change at all? Wouldn't that push back the cycle time, potentially?
Test the water first. If you've got nitrites off the scale, you could go ahead with the change. Otherwise, I'd leave it be for now.
Joe
Also... If they tank hasn't cycled yet, should he be doing a water change at all? Wouldn't that push back the cycle time, potentially?
Test the water first. If you've got nitrites off the scale, you could go ahead with the change. Otherwise, I'd leave it be for now.
Joe
Actually water changes are your friend dureing a cycle. If you have very soft water a little crushed coral in your filter can make sure your cycle doesn't crash due to ph troubles.
you can't speed up the rate the bacteria that create a 'cycled' tank multiply by not doing a water change, but you can harm your fish with stuff that can be removed with waterchanges.
Just be sure to use something to deal with clorine or cloramines/amonia when you do the waterchanges if that is needed due to your water supply.
you can't speed up the rate the bacteria that create a 'cycled' tank multiply by not doing a water change, but you can harm your fish with stuff that can be removed with waterchanges.
Just be sure to use something to deal with clorine or cloramines/amonia when you do the waterchanges if that is needed due to your water supply.
Doing some small water changes now surely won't hurt anything and freshwater will make the fish and plants happier. Then when you get the test kits you'll be able to see if you need to do larger changes. Keep that ammonia under 1ppm and the nitrites under 0.25 ppm. Shouldn't be too hard in that large a tank.
And water changes won't hurt the bacteria. It grows on surfaces in the tank and very little is free floating. And any excess ammonia means there is more than the current bacteria can handle anyway (it can only grow so fast).
And water changes won't hurt the bacteria. It grows on surfaces in the tank and very little is free floating. And any excess ammonia means there is more than the current bacteria can handle anyway (it can only grow so fast).