Ivydoodles
New member
Today is day 7 since my tank was set up. Is a water change necessary in the cycling process? Or do I wait another week? How much water do I change?
THanks
THanks
Do I need to do a water change after the first weeK?
- Thread starter Ivydoodles
- Start date
billdogg
Well-known member
No. Doing a water change at this point will only dilute the ammonia that should be there and delay the growth of the beneficial bacteria you need to process it.
Once Ammonia and Nitrite levels drop to 0, you should see some Nitrates when you test the water. That will indicate that your tank is cycled. Then is the time to start with your water change regimen. 10% weekly or 20% bi-weekly is the accepted "normal" water change amount.
hth!
Once Ammonia and Nitrite levels drop to 0, you should see some Nitrates when you test the water. That will indicate that your tank is cycled. Then is the time to start with your water change regimen. 10% weekly or 20% bi-weekly is the accepted "normal" water change amount.
hth!
Ivydoodles
New member
Thank you.....can you tell me what my target range is for salinity with the refractometer? I just tested with it for my first time and I am at 20.
billdogg
Well-known member
I assume you mean 1.020? And have you properly calibrated your refractometer using something such as pinpoint calibration fluid? (calibration for a saltwater refractometer should ALWAYS be with a solution that is known to be 1.026 (35ppt). Calibrating with RODI or distilled water will give a false reading.
Are you planning on a fish only with live rock (FOWLR), or a coral tank of one sort or another (either soft, LPS, or SPS corals)?
A FOWLR tank can be run with the salinity a bit low - I used to keep mine at about 1.021 without issues. If you are planning on corals, they are a bit more picky. I now keep my tanks (120 display tank (DT) and a 60g frag tank (FT) at 1.025. That allows me a bit of wiggle room should the salinity creep up a bit due to evaporation. The max you should shoot for is 1.026.
You can easily increase the salinity by using saltwater made to the correct level to replace water lost to evaporation. Changes to salinity should always be done slowly. Although most fish will tolerate a relatively large drop, slow is still a good choice. Raising the salinity, however, needs to be done slowly - over a period of days - to allow the livestock to adjust accordingly. This is especially true of invertebrates like shrimp/crabs/snails, and all corals.
hth!
Are you planning on a fish only with live rock (FOWLR), or a coral tank of one sort or another (either soft, LPS, or SPS corals)?
A FOWLR tank can be run with the salinity a bit low - I used to keep mine at about 1.021 without issues. If you are planning on corals, they are a bit more picky. I now keep my tanks (120 display tank (DT) and a 60g frag tank (FT) at 1.025. That allows me a bit of wiggle room should the salinity creep up a bit due to evaporation. The max you should shoot for is 1.026.
You can easily increase the salinity by using saltwater made to the correct level to replace water lost to evaporation. Changes to salinity should always be done slowly. Although most fish will tolerate a relatively large drop, slow is still a good choice. Raising the salinity, however, needs to be done slowly - over a period of days - to allow the livestock to adjust accordingly. This is especially true of invertebrates like shrimp/crabs/snails, and all corals.
hth!
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