Partial Water Changes and their Frequency

[Cooter]

I have a 20H that has been running for 14 days that is heavily planted with 5 neon tetras. Parameters are 3.25 wpg, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, temp 79°, 100W heater, Liberty 150 HOB, ph 7.2.

I did a pwc last Sunday, 7 days since starting the tank, it is due for a pwc today, but I am picking up 2 SAE at the lfs this afternoon.

Question: Do the pwc before adding the SAE, regular time, or wait a day or so?

 

[Jchillin]

FWIW, I usually introduce new fish either two days before or two days after a PWC (on those occassions when it's...ummm, planned).

 

[Cooter]

So, I should probably wait for a couple of days to do a pwc?

If I was intelligent enough, I would have done the pwc and pruned the plants on Friday, knowing that I would be coming home with new fish. Oh well, lesson learned. I just like the help from the little guy doing the pwc, he carries the water both ways, which is really nice

 

[Jchillin]

So, I should probably wait for a couple of days to do a pwc?

Unless you test your water and find something amiss, which I doubt, sure you can wait.

 

[talloulou]

If I plan on buying new fish I always do a partial water change that day and then go buy the fish. However I do very frequent water changes and so I feel that by changing the water right before adding the new fish they will have time to settle in before I start disrupting everything again. I never had any problems.

 

[crazycat]

what are your nitrate levels? since you have 3.25 wpg, have you considered co2?

 

[Cooter]

what are your nitrate levels? since you have 3.25 wpg, have you considered co2?

Unfortunately I have no idea what the NitrAte levels are. I have been testing everyday or two days for Ammonia and NitrIte and have had 0 readings for both since starting the tank on Dec 26. Right now I have no CO2, but I just purchased a Hagen Natural Yeast CO2 device. I have not set it up, since I have been helping a kid move. When I added my 2 SAE, I had the lfs test the water and they said I was fine for NH3, NO2, and NO3.