Water changes??
- Thread starter procomp
- Start date
nytrillium
Member
You topoff with your RO water. IF your doing a water change (ie. 5 gallons 10% of tank volume etc.) you premix the saltwater at least 24 hours in advance and aerate it.
nytrillium
Member
i do 5 gallons weekly on my 30. (15% or so) 10% is recommended.
It kinda depends on what your levels are i guess. If you have high nitrates you should do it at least ever week. but if they are in control you can probably get away with 2 weeks maybe even three. You should do it AT VERY LEAST every month.
*EDIT
I didnt see that you were probably still cycling. If your levels are still way high (ammonia) then you may want to do a few water changes to keep them down to save hitchikers. You dont have to, but once your levels go down do a large water change (50% or so) before you go to add fish. You should also let the tank sit for a month with filtration/circulation after cycling to allow the system to balance out. If you search on here you can find many effective ways to cycle your tank and add fish.
It kinda depends on what your levels are i guess. If you have high nitrates you should do it at least ever week. but if they are in control you can probably get away with 2 weeks maybe even three. You should do it AT VERY LEAST every month.
*EDIT
I didnt see that you were probably still cycling. If your levels are still way high (ammonia) then you may want to do a few water changes to keep them down to save hitchikers. You dont have to, but once your levels go down do a large water change (50% or so) before you go to add fish. You should also let the tank sit for a month with filtration/circulation after cycling to allow the system to balance out. If you search on here you can find many effective ways to cycle your tank and add fish.
ruaround
Active Member
Originally Posted by Procomp
okay when is a good time to water changes.
Its up to you and mostly up to what your system demands... small frequent water changes...like 5 to 10% once or twice a week, 25% one or two times a month... I personally do one change of 25% every 6 weeks or so...
okay when is a good time to water changes.
Its up to you and mostly up to what your system demands... small frequent water changes...like 5 to 10% once or twice a week, 25% one or two times a month... I personally do one change of 25% every 6 weeks or so...
nytrillium
Member
what he said.... if you dont have fish yet... hold off for a few weeks till your nitrates come down. weekly 5% water changes will help. you can feed your tank a little bit of flake or pellet food every couple days to promote bacteria growth. Once you get your nitrates down and its been a few weeks, go ahead and get a small cheap fish or two and thats it. you gotta wait at least a couple weeks between fish additions. I started with a 3 stripe damsel and a LMB in mine. I would not recommend the damsel as they are quite feisty and if you want other fish it will probably bother them. I know mine pesters the LMB so bad.
nytrillium
Member
Check the PH of your mix water, check the calcium, and check the alkalinity. PH is related to both calcium and alkalinity.
It does no good to change ph if the other two are off.
It does no good to change ph if the other two are off.
nytrillium
Member
More LR... at least 1 lb per gallon
Wait to get more fish until you get more rock. It will have to be fullycured outside of your tank in another bucket to keep from having anohter cycle happen in the tank killing your fish and crabs.
Wait to get more fish until you get more rock. It will have to be fullycured outside of your tank in another bucket to keep from having anohter cycle happen in the tank killing your fish and crabs.
ruaround
Active Member
alright... this is going to be the tough part... walking past all the really cool fish in the LFS or online, and buying some more LR... Do small frequent water changes, heat and aerate your new water...this will help raise the pH... test calcium and alk...
what kind of tests are you using...
and
what is you turnover or gph???
what kind of tests are you using...
and
what is you turnover or gph???
nytrillium
Member
mmmm depends on what kind of algae... Corraline?(the purple or bright neon green stuff) If you have a little on your rocks like i did i have been told it can take 6 months to spread. Mine hasnt spread so far so i couldnt give you a good answer on that.
If your talking about hair algae or other types, Depends on your lighting. If you have strong lighting and nothing to munch on the algae it will grow quickly. You really dont want that.. You can get a clean up crew. Nassarius snails, turbo snails, emrald crabs etc. You can also expect a diatom outbreak. (brown dirtish looking stuff on your sand an LR) I had it when i first set my tank up.
If your talking about hair algae or other types, Depends on your lighting. If you have strong lighting and nothing to munch on the algae it will grow quickly. You really dont want that.. You can get a clean up crew. Nassarius snails, turbo snails, emrald crabs etc. You can also expect a diatom outbreak. (brown dirtish looking stuff on your sand an LR) I had it when i first set my tank up.
ruaround
Active Member
Originally Posted by Procomp
working on that. when should I see alge growth?
the algae and bacteria you want in your tank you wont be able to see...well except for coraline... do you tank a favor and dont over load the bio system... get more LR first... your tank is still in its infancy... be patient and you will reap the rewards of happy healthy fish, and not be frustrated with multiple fish deaths... read/research the fish you like, make sure they are compatible, wht they eat, their habits (swimmer or hider), and most of all will they prosper in your tank size...
working on that. when should I see alge growth?
the algae and bacteria you want in your tank you wont be able to see...well except for coraline... do you tank a favor and dont over load the bio system... get more LR first... your tank is still in its infancy... be patient and you will reap the rewards of happy healthy fish, and not be frustrated with multiple fish deaths... read/research the fish you like, make sure they are compatible, wht they eat, their habits (swimmer or hider), and most of all will they prosper in your tank size...
nytrillium
Member
^^ very good advice.
I am fairly new too and everything i know ive learned from people on here. This is my first tank and i followed every bit of advice i was given and could find on here. If you have a question, search for it or ask. people are very helpful.
I am fairly new too and everything i know ive learned from people on here. This is my first tank and i followed every bit of advice i was given and could find on here. If you have a question, search for it or ask. people are very helpful.