My 55 gal tank has been stocked with mbuana for 4 days now. When I test amonia and nitrite they have remained at 0. The nitrate is between 5-10. First, when should I do the first water change? And is 20% about what I want to go for? I'd rather do less water, more often if possible.
Also, when I put in the water conditioner do I just use enough for the new water or enough for the entire tank?
Most importantly (I think)... Do I clean the filter or leave it alone? I have the "hang on the back" type with two cartridges of carbon. It seems to me that if I clean the filter I'll be washing away all the "good bacteria" I cycled the tank to get. AND according to the box that the carbon filters came in I'm supposed to change them frequently. I actually cycled the tank with them in place (because I thought I was supposed to). Do I even need carbon cartridges? I don't want to change the ones in there because, once again, I don't want to reduce the amount of good bacteria I have.
Do I just regulate the temp of the new water I'm adding by feel?
I realize this is a lot of questions, but now that I finially have fish I want to keep them healthy.
Also, when I put in the water conditioner do I just use enough for the new water or enough for the entire tank?
Most importantly (I think)... Do I clean the filter or leave it alone? I have the "hang on the back" type with two cartridges of carbon. It seems to me that if I clean the filter I'll be washing away all the "good bacteria" I cycled the tank to get. AND according to the box that the carbon filters came in I'm supposed to change them frequently. I actually cycled the tank with them in place (because I thought I was supposed to). Do I even need carbon cartridges? I don't want to change the ones in there because, once again, I don't want to reduce the amount of good bacteria I have.
Do I just regulate the temp of the new water I'm adding by feel?
I realize this is a lot of questions, but now that I finially have fish I want to keep them healthy.