Water Changes?

[channing]

I have a ten gallon with a hang on filter (a cheap walmart kit one that hopefully will die soon so i can replace it) and a underground filter. i have 6 mollies, ghost shrimp and mystery snails. i know its overstocked but im wondering should i do twice weekly water changes or am i good once a week.

 

[dthoffsett]

How often you need to change your water depends on your water stats, what is your current ammonia nitrite and nitrate (actual levels please)? Check your nitrate daily, and once it starts getting higher, change your water. You should never see ammonia or nitrite in a cycled tank.

For example, say your nitrate is normally 20ppm, on day 6 the level is 40ppm, time for a water change. Once you figure out how often you need to do changes, you'll still want to monitor your stats to make sure everything is going well.

 

[channing]

How often you need to change your water depends on your water stats, what is your current ammonia nitrite and nitrate (actual levels please)? Check your nitrate daily, and once it starts getting higher, change your water. You should never see ammonia or nitrite in a cycled tank.

For example, say your nitrate is normally 20ppm, on day 6 the level is 40ppm, time for a water change. Once you figure out how often you need to do changes, you'll still want to monitor your stats to make sure everything is going well.

thanks got it now