Should I Do A Water Change? Advice Needed Pls.

[FlyinBrian]

Hi I'm new to the forums.

I just recently set up a Malawi Cichlid tank. I added in my first 3 Malawi's on Sunday and I read that frequent water changes, some as frequent as 3 days are advisable at the start. But my question is: Should I still do a 15% water change if the Ammonia level is ok, and the Nitrite and Nitrate levels are ok? The KH level is at roughly 6 degrees (little less than recommended). The GH level is around 10 degrees (ok I think) and the pH is 7.6 (little lower than recommended).

In my tank I have tufa rock, coral sand, hard coral and other rocks I bought at my local aquarium. The tank is a 72 litre, I know that is much smaller than recommended but the folk at my local aquarium said not to worry about that it'll be ok. The fish are small, about 2 to 2half inches.


So should I still do a 15% water change maybe tomorrow, or Thursday?

 

[sketchy]

I wouldn't have though it neseccary to do a water change if you're stats are fine. Just keep a close eye on the ammonia and nitrite for now, and if you see it start to increase, then do a change

 

[5teady_2012]

Doing a water change regardless wont harm anything.

 

[waterdrop]

Doing a water change regardless wont harm anything.

Right, I totaly agree. And we don't know how recent "recently set up" means. Could be brand new with no cycling of the filter whatsoever and not even time for detectable waste yet, so could be headed for trouble.

Brian, how long was the system set up prior to fish stocking? Did you fishless cycle your filter or use mature media? Sounds great that you are running the right tests!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[FlyinBrian]

Well I set the tank up last Wednesday (23rd April) with the filter and heater going, the substrate, rock etc was all in as well. I wasn't even planning on putting fish into it until maybe this coming Monday, but the woman at the aquarium said I could do it on Sunday (4 days later) as long as I put in 'Tetra SafeStart'. She said that I could add 3 to start with, then another 3 a week later, then gradually more. So i got home and out in required amount of 'SafeStart', then added the fish after gradually adding the tank water to the floating bag. Then added the fish.

I have to admit I have been worried that I put the fish in too early, hence why I've used up so many test sticks as well. The fish do seem fine and happy.

So I was planning on maybe doing a 15% water change tomorrow. I've had replacement water set up since Monday, and I added a spare heater into it today so the temperature will be right. What do you think? Also, when doing water changes, is it a good idea to use 'Stress Coat' in the replacement water?

 

[pastabake]

You really should have done a fishless cycle first. As you haven't I would definitely recommend that you do frequent water changes and keep an eye on your stats.

You should use some dechlorinator in your replacement water if that's what you have use it, if not just get whatever is the cheapest.

 

[OldMan47]

Brian, I am very sorry to have to tell you this but you are embarking on a fishy cycle. Please get the testing equipment and do not add any more fish until the cycle shows complete. That will be some time after your tank starts taking itself back below detectable ammonia levels on its own and nitrites also are staying less than detectable on their own.
Right now you have low values because you have just started the tank cycle and nothing has had a chance to build up yet. Soon you will start to see some ammonia in the water. When that happens, change enough water often enough to keep ammonia below 0.25 ppm. Eventually, the tank will stop showing a rise in ammonia levels but the nitrites will be on a rapid rise. When you get to that stage, you will change water often enough and a large enough amount to keep the nitrites below 0.25 ppm at all times. When nitrites drop to zero on their own, you will have accomplished the minimum cycle for the number of fish you have at the time. The next thing that will happen is you will see the nitrates start to rise in the tank. At this point the water changes do not need to be as large or as often. The target at that point is to keep the nitrates below 20 ppm. When you have nitrates under control, it could be 2 months from now, you will be ready to start thinking about more fish. Until then, limit the damage caused by the tank cycling to the fish you have now.

 

[FlyinBrian]

Ok thanks for the your help. when you say 'get the testing equipment', do you mean the little test strips? I have test strips at the moment and they read pH, KH, GH, Nitrite and Nitrate levels. I also have a seperate test kit which tests for Ammonia only.

Also, do I have to raise the pH of the replacement water before adding it to the tank?

 

[LosC519]

A master test kit is better and more accurate. I recommend using some sort of product to give your cycle a boost, I used Seachem Stability to cycle one of my tanks faster, a small bottle is enough to cycle your tank and its only about $5. You may have some casualties as your fish will be swimming in poisonous water levels.

 

[FlyinBrian]

Ok do you mean I'll have some casualties at the moment, or after I add the Seachem Stability?

 

[LosC519]

Ok do you mean I'll have some casualties at the moment, or after I add the Seachem Stability?

At any given moment you could have a casualty. It all depends on how strong your fish are but at some times during your cycle it may get more toxic than other times. This is where you play a big part, monitor your water paramters and do water changes when the bad levels get too high. Seachem stability will simply make things move faster.

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Brian,

Is it possible to take your 3 fish back to the shop? If so, you could do a fishless cycle which eliminates the need for back breaking water changes every day and the possibility of killing fish through having them swimming in their own waste. It's really the best, and most humane method if you can only re-home those fish somehow.

I realise that when a tank is newly set-up theres an overwhelming urge to see fish in it, but fishless cycle is better for the fish and easier for you. I'm sure i'll receive agreement from many. Please consider it.

Food for thought!

Cheers

BTT

 

[FlyinBrian]

I could take the fish back but don't really want to.... Has any of you ever used Tetra SafeStart, or read about it? I was told to use this, which basically is supposed to let you add fish to an aquarium right away. People on different websites have said that it's fantastic, it also adds bacteria to replacement water as well.

"Tetra SafeStart allows you to rapidly stock a new aquarium with fish. It contains a patented blend of the bacteria responsible for removing harmful ammonia and nitrite from aquarium water. These bacteria are not found in any other product, and work to instantly activate the filter. By removing ammonia and nitrite they create a safe environment for fish, allowing you to enjoy your new aquarium with the minimal amount of maintenance.

How to Use
When setting up a new aquarium: When aquarium is set up and running at correct temperature, add 5ml of SafeStart per 6 litres of water, at the same time as adding the fish. Tetra recommend a stocking level of adult fish equivalent to 1cm per litre. This refers to the eventual body size of the fish excluding fins, not the size when they are added."

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More info--------->
http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...em.php?news=953

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah i've heard of safe start, don't rate it though.

the principle is sound and there are lots of products which claim to give you the bacteria you need and effectivley start the cycle for you. however most of them are rubbish. fact is without proper conditions and a food source the bacteria can't live indefinatley on a shelf in the fish shop. there's two produycts which are generally accepted as working for this, in the Uk there's Bactinettes, in the USA there's Bio Spira. both of these products come refrigerated and as such keep the bacteria alive.

unfortunatley the safe start is highliy unlikley to have had any affect on your cycle.

 

[FlyinBrian]

yeah i've heard of safe start, don't rate it though.

the principle is sound and there are lots of products which claim to give you the bacteria you need and effectivley start the cycle for you. however most of them are rubbish. fact is without proper conditions and a food source the bacteria can't live indefinatley on a shelf in the fish shop. there's two produycts which are generally accepted as working for this, in the Uk there's Bactinettes, in the USA there's Bio Spira. both of these products come refrigerated and as such keep the bacteria alive.

unfortunatley the safe start is highliy unlikley to have had any affect on your cycle.

So you recommend I should use the Bactinettes then? I live in the UK. Is this a product which I can add to replacement water as well?