Water Change Help

[orangefish]

I have had my tank for around a month. Everything is fine, and the tests appear to be alright too. However, as I am new to the hobby I do not know how and when to change my tank water- I have heard so many different things! Should I do a water change yet, and if so, how do I do it? Do I need to get the new water up to the same temperature as the water that's in the tank? Also, there is a lot of rubbish on the bottom of the tank when I move the gravel. How do I get rid of this? Thanks, and any information would be useful!

 

[Truck]

Just do water changes weekly, 25% no need for heating, and add dechlorinator if you wish.

 

[orangefish]

Just do water changes weekly, 25% no need for heating, and add dechlorinator if you wish.

Is dechlorinator essential, as I'm not all that keen on using chemicals? Also, is it ok to do a water change so early on in the cycle? Thanks

 

[Truck]

Sorry, I didn't realise you're doing a cycle, are you doing a fishless or fish in?

Dechlorinator isn't essential, but most recommend it, I don't use it, but I would if I were you seeing as your tank is immature.

 

[orangefish]

Sorry, I didn't realise you're doing a cycle, are you doing a fishless or fish in?

Dechlorinator isn't essential, but most recommend it, I don't use it, but I would if I were you seeing as your tank is immature.

Sorry I forgot to mention it- the cycle has fish and plants in. Thanks

 

[Truck]

Right ok, do you test the water at all? I'd do a 50% water change, just add a bit of boiling water to take the edge off it because it's such a vast amount.

 

[orangefish]

Right ok, do you test the water at all? I'd do a 50% water change, just add a bit of boiling water to take the edge off it because it's such a vast amount.

Well I don't own a test kit, but I borrowed my friends a few days ago and everything came out alright. So do I take 50% of the water out, and then add all the water, or take some of it out, add some and then take more out etc.? Thanks

 

[Truck]

When you say all right, what were the results? you take 50% of the water out, and then fill it back up, do this bi-daily until you get 0 readings for Ammonia and nitrite, then all you need to do is 25% per week.

 

[orangefish]

My readings were:
ammonia- 0.25
nitrite- 0
nitrate- 5
pH- 8.0 (I'm probably going to buy some treatment to sort this out)

 

[Truck]

That blip of ammonia is probably from the addition of some fish, what fish do you have? the PH 8 is most probably fine. Just stick to 25% weekly water changes,

 

[orangefish]

That blip of ammonia is probably from the addition of some fish, what fish do you have? the PH 8 is most probably fine. Just stick to 25% weekly water changes,

The fish that I have are in my signature. Thanks for the help

 

[Truck]

A little too many fish for the tank, I would re-home the Danios and the sucking loach, and also buy a few more dwarf cories.

 

[orangefish]

A little too many fish for the tank, I would re-home the Danios and the sucking loach, and also buy a few more dwarf cories.

My LFS said I could have about 25 fish in the tank?

 

[Truck]

They lied, about 12*5cm fish is maximum, obviously the smaller the fish the more you can have.

 

[orangefish]

Sorry, what do you mean by '12*5cm'? Thanks