When I do my first water change how muvch am I looking to take out? Between the LR and DSB I have around 49-50g of water in the tank. The tank is a 65g tank. I'm figuring that I'll be doing a 20% water change on the 50g of water that's actually in the tank and not judge it on the 65g tank capacity. Right?:biggrin:
What % of water for 1st water change?
- Thread starter taat2d
- Start date
- Location
- The Big City
What are you reading? Part of doing water changes is the refresh you trace elements another is to help bring down nitrates and Phosphates. If you have high nitrates you probably want to do a larger water change. The size of the water change should be based on those things and how you corals look.
The tank is brand new. I just set it up 2 weeks ago. I have 80lbs DSB and 90lbs LR. I have no ammonia and no nitrites. I have a trace of nitrates. I was told I should do a water change before I start addind any corals.
- Location
- The Big City
If you have gone through you cycle all you should be left with is nitrates. A water change will help bring them down. So since you have very low nitrates you probably want to do a small water change, say 10%. You need to determine what is 10% of you water volume, so take into account the LR & LS and figure out what the actually water volume in your tank is.
Since you're planning to start adding corals you need to check you Cal & Alk levels too, to make sure they're at the correct levels. After the water change you want to check you Calk & Alk levels and then adjust them to the desire amounts.
At that point you can start to add some easy to keep corals, like mushrooms or some tree corals. Then monitor the levels and see how the corals are doing.
Since you're planning to start adding corals you need to check you Cal & Alk levels too, to make sure they're at the correct levels. After the water change you want to check you Calk & Alk levels and then adjust them to the desire amounts.
At that point you can start to add some easy to keep corals, like mushrooms or some tree corals. Then monitor the levels and see how the corals are doing.
I was told, once the cycle is over do a 50% water change and start adding your critters- from- Bob Fenner www.wetwebmedia.com
Bueller
Bueller
- Location
- The Big City
The water change that people recommend is to bring the nitrates down, which is the final part of the cycle. If you have good LR, which may have given you either a small cycle or even no cycle, you don't need to do a large water change. Also doing large water changes can shock system, causing a new mini-cycle.
- Location
- The Big City
If all you levels are good, Ammonia & Nitrites are zero and Nitrates are low, than I would just add the first fish and see how it does. If you tank has been cycled you should be fine. Just don't over do it at fish or you may get a spike.
I plan on adding no more than 2-3 small fish every week -2 weeks depending on the leves as I add them.
- Location
- The Big City
That should be fine. After you add each fish look and see how they're doing. Are they breathing heavy, especially after feedings, if they are than you biology filtration can't handle all the additional ammonia and you still need to build it up further.
Check you ammonia and nitrite reading, and if they're still zero than you biology filtration is working. If they're zero then check you nitrates, if you see them going up then you want to do a small water change. Eventually the system, between the LR & skimmer, will be able to handle the nitrates.
Check you ammonia and nitrite reading, and if they're still zero than you biology filtration is working. If they're zero then check you nitrates, if you see them going up then you want to do a small water change. Eventually the system, between the LR & skimmer, will be able to handle the nitrates.
- Location
- Westbury L.i
i would suggest adding a clean up crew first...
u can do your water changes......10% or 20% depending on nitrate levels.....
but i would also suggest waiting another week or 2 for the system to stabilize before u begin to add any fish or corals
u can do your water changes......10% or 20% depending on nitrate levels.....
but i would also suggest waiting another week or 2 for the system to stabilize before u begin to add any fish or corals
I am pretty new, but I also think you should wait a few more weeks before adding fish. It will give your pod population time to grow.
Also, when adding your clean up crew, PLEASE research each critter carefully by species. Not all cleaners that are sold in pet stores are suitable for tropical or reef tanks. These are some of the more neglected animals in our hobby.
Also, when adding your clean up crew, PLEASE research each critter carefully by species. Not all cleaners that are sold in pet stores are suitable for tropical or reef tanks. These are some of the more neglected animals in our hobby.
Sponsor Reefs
We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.
Click here to sponsor $10:
