Cycling Water Changes

[jeff1969]

My 10 gl tank has had two fish in it for one week. They are guppies - named Darth Vader and Orange Fin by my kids My question is how often to test for ammonia levels and how often to do water changes. The info on this site says check twice a day and do large water changes if levels are .25 or greater. I have been having levels of .25 to .5. The folks at the pet store say check every few days and do water changes only weekly or so. Is it somehow bad to do daily water changes if ammonia is present? Are the nice workers at the pet store seriously clueless? Thanks.

 

[Cazgar]

I'm assuming you didn't cycle your filter before adding fish, so you're now in a fish in cycle.
Test your water every day, & do large water changes if ammonia & nitrites are present

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Hi Jeff, workers at pet stores are sometimes misinformed or use outdated techniques (it's also their job to sell you products and fish!). You are doing a fish in cycle and you will have to do daily water changes to keep your ammonia and nitrite both at 0 to avoid stressing and making your fish ill. Because you have 2 guppies in a 10 gallon this should be very manageable with daily water changes.

Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions

 

[jeff1969]

Hi Jeff, workers at pet stores are sometimes misinformed or use outdated techniques (it's also their job to sell you products and fish!). You are doing a fish in cycle and you will have to do daily water changes to keep your ammonia and nitrite both at 0 to avoid stressing and making your fish ill. Because you have 2 guppies in a 10 gallon this should be very manageable with daily water changes.

Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions

Thanks - people are very helpful with these beginner questions I have.

 

[4seasons]

You are in the same spot I was just a few months ago. Lots of good information here especially in the beginners resource section. I can only ditto what was said above. If you heard it in a fish store assume it is a lie. There are some good fish stores out there but they are few and far between.