Water Changes

[Jcartwright]

When the cycle is ready, how big of a water change must i do on a 180l tank? and what's the best to do it - syphon or jug and bucket?
Do i still do water test with the fish in? and how do i do a water change when fish are in?

Thanks

 

[Amunet]

You cycling with ammonia? You'll probably want to do a pretty large water change.. I'd say at least 50%. Since it was done fishless... just a bucket would work since you wouldn't have to be vacuuming anything out.
With fish.. just get yourself a syphon and a bucket and you'll be fine.
Fish will usually stay clear of the syphon, but just pay attention and you shouldn't suck any up lol.
As for water tests... I would test my water every week just to make sure everything is still ok.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

if it's a fishless cycle you wanna do a really big water change at the end, like 90%. personally i find siphoning the water out easier, but as you've no waste to pick up from the substrate then you don't need to, just do whatever's easiest for you.

yep once you've got fish you definately need to do water tests, every day or two on a newly cycled tank as they can be a little unstable. once it's been going a few weeks with no problems you can test once a week. then when the tanks mature after a couple of months you'll know when you need to test, when you see a problem.

 

[Jcartwright]

Thanks for that. Just one more ?
After the water change how long do i wait to test the water in tank? and what should the nitrate level be before i add the fish or can i add the fish pretty much after the water change?
OK that was a couple more question but i need to know to get right.

Thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

after the water change your nitrate level should drop, it depends on the nitrate level of your tap water what it will be, as long as it's under 100ppm your safe to add fish but the lower the better.

add fish within 12 hrs or the bacteria will start to die off and you'll have to add more ammonia to keep it cycled.

test the water a few hrs after adding fish then every 24hrs (roughly) after that.