New Tank, New Fish, New Water!? (How Often To Change Water.)

[Volleyball_Rox]

I got a new tank, new fishie.
New tank: 5 gallon tetra starter kit,
light,
power filter,
plant,
2 hidey holes
2 shells
Old Tank:
1 gallon fish bowl
plant
hidey hole.
New Fish:
1 orange platy (really small)
Old Fish:
1 blue male crowntail betta.
They are now living happily in 5 gallon aquarium, undivided.
No fin nipping or nasty behavior.
It wont let me post any pics, says its too big.
So, my question is, with a 5gal tank with filter, 2 small fish, and 1 feeding a day of tropical fish flakes or betta pellets, how often and how much water do I replace?

 

[silverrabbit]

Seeing as your tank won't be cycled yet (takes about 6-8 weeks, sometimes longer), you need to do daily water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite levels as low as possible. Can you get a water testing kit, or have your fish store test it? Otherwise you won't know what the levels are like, as they are invisible poisons for your fishies.

I'd say try and aim for 20-50% daily water changes... it won't be forever, just til your filter is cycled (when the test kit shows that ammonia and nitrite are at 0 and nitrate will be a positive result.

 

[Assaye]

Follow silverrabbit's advice. When your tank is cycled (probably after 4-6 weeks, maybe longer), move onto 25% a week.

You'll know your tank is cycled when you test your water and have zero ammonia and zero nitrites and some nitraes, and you've not had to do a water change for several days. In order to know this properly, you need a liquid test kit and to be testing daily. Rule - if you have ammonia and nitrites (even the teeniest bit), do a water change!