Tank cleaning regimen advice

[trancecommander]

Ok ... so my 36 gal tank is all cycled and I've finally been able to add some fish to it. I currently I have 3 mollies, 5 white cloud minnows, 3 julii corys and a red-tailed shark. I'm using an Emperor 280 power filter.

My water readings are great !! 0 nitrIte, 0 ammonia, 10 ppm nitrAte. The ammonia and nitrItes stayed at 0 even when I introduced the new fish.

My question is ... what cleaning regimen would you experienced people suggest? Currently, I'm doing a 20% change weekly and while doing the change, I clean the gravel with a vacuum. Should I be doing more/less??

I would love to hear about whats worked for you guys. Maybe I can get some pointers from your regimens so I get my cleaning right.

Thanks in advance !!

 

[marks69]

that's about what i do in my unplanted tanks.my 55 has alot of plants, so i only do about 10% every week.then once a month i do about a %30 change on all my tanks.i would test your water after 1 week and see what the numbers are, then you will know if you should do more or not.
gl
mark

 

[mt_marcy]

Hi,
That cleaning scedule and method sounds okay to me. I also test my water before i clean/water change my tank too. Good luck,
mt_marcy!

 

[trancecommander]

Thanks for your replies!!

Its actually been a couple of weeks since my tank cycled completely and about 10 days since I added the fish (besides the mollies). So, the numbers have been pretty constant.

Rather than water changes brought about due to unusual numbers, I was curious what the cleaning schedules should be like as a maintainance thing.

 

[daveedka]

The cleaning regimen sounds good, I tend to be one who monitors and adjusts things to create the least work and the best results. I would stick to what you have outlined and track the water parramiters. if you see nitrates slowly climbing, you'll need to vaccum more and change a little more water. You could also go the other way and if nothing ever changes cut back (very slightly) on the work, and keep monitoring. It is always better to over maintain than undermaintain IMO though, so be very carefull if you decide to reduce the work down the road.