Water changing and cleaning plants

[mike777]

Well I just got fish in my tank yesterday morning and I was wondering how often I should do water changes. I heard 25% a week but I thought that was a bit much, I have a 20 gallon tank and 3 zebra danios in it. thanks!

 

[njparton]

Well I just got fish in my tank yesterday morning and I was wondering how often I should do water changes. I heard 25% a week but I thought that was a bit much, I have a 20 gallon tank and 3 zebra danios in it. thanks!

At the moment, for your tank I wouldn't think 20%/week is necessary, but as you add more fish it will become so.

Buy a nitrate test kit and monitor the levels twice weekly. When you start adding more fish it'll start to climb more rapidly and you really want to do a water change when you're in the 40-60 mg/l zone.

Some tap water is "high" in nitrates - especially if you live in a rural area and use groundwater abstraction. If your tap water contains nitrates, more than once a week or more than 25% at a time may become necessary

My tap water has unmeasurable (with a test kit anyway) nitrates

 

[mike777]

Ok thanks for your help I didnt use tap water I used spring my mom works for the absopoure and she can get it virtually free so I will use that all the time.

 

[njparton]

Ok thanks for your help I didnt use tap water I used spring my mom works for the absopoure and she can get it virtually free so I will use that all the time.

Excellent, but have you tested it for nitrates etc before you use it?

 

[mike777]

No I havent tested my water yet I will asap though
do the testers cost much??

 

[Gunnie]

I have a freshwater master test kit by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals which is excellent. I learned though if you use anything that neutralizes ammonia, this test kit will show false positives for ammonia. I think I paid $14.00 for mine. It tests for everything you need to know about your water except nitrates.