Lauramichelle
Aquarium Advice Activist
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2011
- Messages
- 127
Ok, my 20 gal salt tank is cycling nicely. No livestock yet. So I'm using this time to research and learn. I already did a 50% water change, but without any lives to worry about. I get my salt water from the same lfs each time.
Now, lets say I have an established reef and fish tank going. It's time for a weekly 5 gal water change. Do I need to match temp, salinity, ph, etc? Therefore, must I get my water days in advance, mix, heat, test and prep prior to a change? Or can I simply heat it and add it. Also, is it considered "top off" water? Or must it be salt water? How long can my tank sustain without a water change if I need to adjust the new water?
One reason for asking is that I discovered that the original lfs where I purchased my initial 20 gal runs salt levels too low for fish. They say otherwise, but I had my water tested at 2 other lfs' and they confirmed it. Now I'm spooked that I may do everything right yet have a disaster due to a poor supplier.
Thank you so much for your help.
Now, lets say I have an established reef and fish tank going. It's time for a weekly 5 gal water change. Do I need to match temp, salinity, ph, etc? Therefore, must I get my water days in advance, mix, heat, test and prep prior to a change? Or can I simply heat it and add it. Also, is it considered "top off" water? Or must it be salt water? How long can my tank sustain without a water change if I need to adjust the new water?
One reason for asking is that I discovered that the original lfs where I purchased my initial 20 gal runs salt levels too low for fish. They say otherwise, but I had my water tested at 2 other lfs' and they confirmed it. Now I'm spooked that I may do everything right yet have a disaster due to a poor supplier.
Thank you so much for your help.