Is this Bad?

[becky]

I have had my tank set up with fish in it for over a month and gone through my cycle about 4 weeks ago. My water has been stable ever sence... I haven't done a water change since its been up and running. Is this ok???
I hate to ruin the water conditions by no tgetting things equil again.
Thanks for your imput

 

[beecher]

Unless your using tap water for water changes....nothing but good can come from a water change.
[ October 02, 2001: Message edited by: Beecher ]

 

[tangman99]

Becky,
Water changes are necessary and as stated very good for your fish. If you have finished cycling, you should have ammo and nitrite readings of 0 and some nitrates. The water change will lower and keep your nitrates under control. Your ammo and nitrites should always remain 0. Make sure you use good quality water and keep the temperature and salinity as close to what is in the tank as possible.
Tangman

 

[becky]

ok .. i know all that , but my water has stayed at 0 for amonia, nitrates, and nitrites. So can i just wait until the nitrates start to go up??
I am worried i might not get the right water temp and salinity if i change without any problems

 

[beecher]

Personally, I like to do routine water changes whether my nitrates are up or not. Its alot easier to control nitrates before they build up rather then wait until you see nitrates going up. Remember, if you are doing say a 10-15% water change, if you wait until nitrates buildup, you will only reduce the nitrates by a similar percentage in a single water change. As far as getting the temperature and salinty correct. You should mix it up a min of 24 hours in advance. This should give you time to make small adjustment in the salinty. I would go buy a cheap tank heater and powerhead. Mix your water/salt in a new container that is adequate for the gallons of your water change and then place the heater and powerhead in the container for a good mix.

 

[b_ball12_99]

I don't do water changes in my tank. Make sure your readings stay good is the most important things. Another thing is if you don't do water changes make sure you put in additives to replace what fish, corals, and inverts use up.

 

[becky]

How much do power heads cost?? Is there such a thing as an inexspensive one?

 

[beecher]

I've seen them online for less than $20. Since its such a small tank, I would highly recommend routine water changes.

 

[blutang]

I asked my fish guy the same question, and he said that if I had fish in the water to do a water change, and if not just leave it until I get some fish and change it two weeks after the introduction of the first fish.

 

[blutang]

I would STRONGLY advise you that you do do monthy water changes, because if you are new to this whole thing and you are putting in additives such as Iodine and Calcium and all that stuff, you can easily upset your water conditions. Just be careful at first if you deside to use this method.

 

[becky]

ok i have decided to do a water change this week. I am going out this weekend and buying a big garbage pal to mix salt water in. When i take out the old water and add in the new do i turn the filter off??

 

[becky]

so do i turn the filter off? cause the water has to stay a certain level for the filter to work right?
So iam wondering if it gets turned off?

 

[blutang]

You can turn the filter off, however if you leave it running the water will continue to be pulled in because the water level was already high enough before you started to remove water (syphen effect) I usually leave mine on just for the simple fact of aeration, however if you have a powerhead turn it off or you are liable to have water shooting everwhere. Good luck...
Oh and PS......I never heat my water before I put it in, I just mix it in the bucket and use my powerhead to pump it back....if you have a good heater it will do the job soon enough ;the power head pulling the the water and shooting it through the tube is enough for me as far as mixing the salt back in, simply because when I put the powerhead back on the tank it mixes the rest of the salt good enough in my opinion. Plus most of today's aquarium salts disolve really fast anyways.
See ya!

 

[becky]

Thanks for your advice.. i think thats what ill do.. mis the water up a day or two before and let it go to room temp. then i can put it in and let the heater run
Thanks again!