Parameters advice

[Katie24]

Hi! Hoping for some advice. I have cleaner crew and 2 new black clownfish. I did a water change Monday morning before I got the fish, and got them that evening. Today I tested my parameters and my parameters are as follows...
pH- 8.2
Ammonia .25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20
Salinity 24

LFS says I should do a little water change. What percentage would you recommend? I have a 32 gallon biocube.
Thanks everyone!



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[mcgyvr]

Did you properly cycle the tank?
How old is it?
If so the ammonia is likely just a false positive which is VERY common.. API test kits?
And your parameters look fine other than that.. nitrate is a little high but its fish only and you should be just fine now

You can probably get by with a 5G water change every 2 weeks but it may need more than that.. Just keep checking till you know what it takes/does..

 

[Katie24]

Did you properly cycle the tank?
How old is it?
If so the ammonia is likely just a false positive which is VERY common.. API test kits?
And your parameters look fine other than that.. nitrate is a little high but its fish only and you should be just fine now

You can probably get by with a 5G water change every 2 weeks but it may need more than that.. Just keep checking till you know what it takes/does..

Thank you so much!! Yes we are fish only for 6 mos. Seems like everyone advises to wait 6 mos for corals. And yes it is API! Haha. Is there a better one?


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[Clowning_Around]

What mcgyvr said. A 10% water change is common but if something is wonky you may want to do more and ob the flipside after its established and you have a feel for it 5% maybe enough

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[mcgyvr]

Thank you so much!! Yes we are fish only for 6 mos. Seems like everyone advises to wait 6 mos for corals. And yes it is API! Haha. Is there a better one?

API is fine for ammonia.. sometimes reports a bit thats really not an issue it seems.. but personally at 6 months I wouldn't/don't test for ammonia anymore..

With fish only I'd really just test for nitrates/phosphates..
Along with the ~15-20% every 2 week water change or so

 

[Katie24]

Thanks everyone!!!!!


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[Clowning_Around]

Mcgyvr would you mind elaborating on phosphates, my newbness coming out. From what i read over in the FO section previously was phos only need be tested for reef systems. I must admit in not sure what phos even does....

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[monkeysee1]

Get a Red Sea Ammonia kit. See if you get the same result. IF you do, then -

Take mcgyvr's advice - I'd do a 20 percent water change, but EVERY week until the problem subsides. You might want to get some Prodibio Bioclean and put an ampule in your tank after each water change. Marine Depot has it.

 

[monkeysee1]

I must admit in not sure what phos even does....

Phosphates are algae's best friend, and one of an aquarist's worst enemies.

 

[Katie24]

Get a Red Sea Ammonia kit. See if you get the same result. IF you do, then -

Take mcgyvr's advice - I'd do a 20 percent water change, but EVERY week until the problem subsides. You might want to get some Prodibio Bioclean and put an ampule in your tank after each water change. Marine Depot has it.

Thank you so much!!!! So glad I have this resource!


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[Clowning_Around]

Phosphates are algae's best friend, and one of an aquarist's worst enemies.

Thanks

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