water change

[isiah1820]

Had my 29g mbuna tank for about a week now with 4 cichlids how and when should I clean/change the water on this tank??

 

[Bettababe1011]

Did you cycle the tank before adding fish?

 

[jondamon]

Firstly

How old is the tank?
Was it cycled?
How did you cycle?

Water changes should be done when Nitrates are still under 20ppm.

Do you own a testing kit?
Strips or liquid?

What are the parameters of your test results?



Jon

 

[isiah1820]

Had it for about a week and set every thing up and let it sit for a day then added fish 4 Africans they killed my Chinese algae eater

 

[hpiguy]

Go get a freshwater test kit for PH and Ammonia at a minimum today. Not next week, today. Test the water and show us what it tells you.

Preferably get the API Freshwater Master Test Kit and test all the parameters it lets you, and report back.

Then everyone here can help you with your tank.

 

[isiah1820]

Got you thanks

 

[Borderlesscott]

Go get a freshwater test kit for PH and Ammonia at a minimum today. Not next week, today. Test the water and show us what it tells you.

Preferably get the API Freshwater Master Test Kit and test all the parameters it lets you, and report back.

Couldn't agree more, your going to need these or you will have dead fish in no time. You will need to know the Ph as you have African Cichlids that need a specific level of Ph, after a while you will get an ammonia spike which is lethal to everything in the tank, followed by a Nitrite spike a while after which is then also lethal to all tank inhabitants and then a Nitrate spike which, yep - is lethal again, at which point you will be cycled and safe for for fish. The whole process can take a few weeks and will require regular water testing, water changes etc. Once you get the kit and get your results post them up and we will be glad to help.

Great read for cycling process

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/fish-in-cycling-step-over-into-the-dark-side-176446.html

 

[isiah1820]

I do have inhabitants now doin well so far, but also how do you reverse tho affects in the water

 

[Andrew McFadden]

I do have inhabitants now doin well so far, but also how do you reverse tho affects in the water

Water changes adding crushed coral stuff like that. But you need a test kit to know how and when to do it.