Water changes help.

[FishDaAx]

I have a new tank that I have been trying to cycle with fish. How often should i be doing water changes?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

When your ammonia and nitrites test over .25 then you need to do a water change. It may be a couple a day depending on your bio load

 

[Mrs.h2012]

I have a new tank that I have been trying to cycle with fish. How often should i be doing water changes?

How many fish do you have?

 

[Rlavassor86]

Yea you should test daily and do pwc accordingly to keep your ammonia and nitrite levels under control.

 

[FishDaAx]

When your ammonia and nitrites test over .25 then you need to do a water change. It may be a couple a day depending on your bio load

Oh ok. Well i have the 5 in one test strips from API and they are stupid and I don't think they show ammonia levels. Should I suck it up and buy a different test kit? :/ (I didn't realize this it would that complicated to control monitor the water conditions)

 

[FishDaAx]

How many fish do you have?

It's a 50g with 10 little Harley rasboras

 

[Rlavassor86]

Yes get the liquid master test kit by API. Under 20 bucks on amazon

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Yes get the liquid master test kit by API. Under 20 bucks on amazon

I agree ^^

The strips are junk

 

[FishDaAx]

Yes get the liquid master test kit by API. Under 20 bucks on amazon

How much are they at a LFS cuz I don't think I want to wait for it in the mail and chance loosing any little guys to bad water quality

 

[Andrew McFadden]

How much are they at a LFS cuz I don't think I want to wait for it in the mail and chance loosing any little guys to bad water quality

This is for pet smart but they are usually around $30
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754034&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No

 

[FishDaAx]

This is for pet smart but they are usually around $30
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754034&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo

Alright cool thanks guys I am gunna check my Local pet store first before I head to the aquarium shop 30min away!

 

[Rlavassor86]

How much are they at a LFS cuz I don't think I want to wait for it in the mail and chance loosing any little guys to bad water quality

LFS by me sells them at 40 bucks. Pretty steep if you ask me.

 

[FishDaAx]

LFS by me sells them at 40 bucks. Pretty steep if you ask me.

Ouch!!! :/

 

[Aspencer]

How much are they at a LFS cuz I don't think I want to wait for it in the mail and chance loosing any little guys to bad water quality

Just keep doing water changes daily until you get the kit.

 

[FishDaAx]

Just keep doing water changes daily until you get the kit.

Ok will do thanks

 

[Rlavassor86]

Ouch!!! :/

Yea I bought my first one there. Never again though. I just order my replacement bottles online when I run out now. I've only ever run out of my ph and my nitrate tests though. I test weekly for oh and nitrates. I stopped testing ammonia and nitrite weekly since my tanks have been cycled for a few years. Now I just test once every few weeks or if I notice a fish acting funny. Never had any spikes since my cycle.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Test kits do go outdated just a 4 warning

 

[Rlavassor86]

Test kits do go outdated just a 4 warning

Yea mine are all good til 10/14and my two new ones 9/16 if I'm remembering correctly. It maybe the older ones are this year, idk either way I know they aren't dated yet

 

[Rlavassor86]

@ op. definitely check dates on anything you buy. I have seen exp. chems and tests a few times at the LFS.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Yea mine are all good til 10/14and my two new ones 9/16 if I'm remembering correctly. It maybe the older ones are this year, idk either way I know they aren't dated yet

They are code dated ( older ones )