Newbie-cycling question

[karna68]

Hello I'm new here, just have a few questions on cycling. I have a 10 gallon with 2 white clouds and 2 zebra danios. The lady at the fish store said no water changes(?) but everything I read says to change the water. So I'm assuming I DO need to change the water but how much and how often? Also do I add the chlorine stuff before it goes in the tank?

On feeding, I know I shouldn't feed too much but exactly how often should I feed? I don't want to starve them. Right now I'm feeding once a day, every other day. Thanks for any input and I apologize if my questions are redundant! :o

[liv2padl]

i'd change about 3-5 gallons on a weekly basis. the lady in the store is wrong ... you don't want the ammonia and nitrite that will result from the cycling process to build to toxic levels ... and since the filter won't be fully functional with regard to the biological cycle for 6 weeks or so, water changes are the only way to dilute those toxins.

i'd feed once daily everyday or even twice daily but small amounts. this is a stressful period for fish and they need a good healthy diet, now more than ever.

[karna68]

Thanks liv! I edited my post so don't know if you caught this but do I add the chlorine stuff to the fresh water before I put it in the tank? Thanks!

[DeRo316]

do I add the chlorine stuff to the fresh water before I put it in the tank?
Yes

[karna68]

Thanks DeRo! One last question, the tank was set up this past Saturday, do I wait until this Saturday to change water?

[paku]

Tell ya what I did, everytime I read high on Ammonia / Nitrites I did a 50% change... I did this almost daily. My tank cycled in less than a month. It is great to see 0/0/10 after 4 weeks of waterchanges... on a 10g tank thats only one bucket a day, not so bad... and it keeps the ammonia and nitrites from harming your fish.

[DeRo316]

karna do you have a test kit? If not I would get one and test your water to see what the status is. Its safe to say though that if your tank has been setup since Sat you could do a water change today if you wanted. Once you get a test kit do the same thing paku did.

[TheZoo]

In case you dont have a test kit yet, its generally just fine to change the water more than you "need" to. Since its a pretty new tank and is bound to be producing some nasties, go ahead and change 35% or so of your water daily or every other day. It wont hurt your fish. I do recommend getting and using a gravel vacuum for water changes, it helps ALOT in so many ways!