Water Tests Are Excellent

[redbourn]

My 35 gallon freshwater tropical aquarium has been up and running for about 4 months and I last did a 25% water change a month ago.

Low to medium stocked.

Fish are all healthy and no fatalities for months.

I just tested ammonia = seems to be 0 but is way less than .6

Nitrites = seems to be a touch over 0 but much less than .25

ph = 7.5

So do I need to do a water change and if so why?

I have a powerful internal filter and a full width under-gravel filter.

Couple of cats and 3 algae eaters.

Real plants.

I feed the fish very much on the light side.

Thanks

Michael

 

[markandhisfish]

yes you do need to . 25% monthly is way too little you should be doing a minimum of that weekly really . the waterchange does several things . it removes nitrates which the filter casnnot , it replenishes lost minerals etc in the water . and also fish secrete a horemone which restricts other fish growth the waterchange also reduces this .

 

[Harlequins]

Water tests are not excellent if you show any ammonia & nitrite above 0...

 

[redbourn]

Thank you both!

Michael

 

[Gilli]

50% water change right away! This is why you need to test your water on a regular basis. If your tank was fully cycled then you shouldnt be getting any readings at all on ammonia and nitrates. It could be you are overfeeding or have a dead and rotting fish somewhere, or it may be because you have not done a water change for so long or a good gravel vac to remove poo and uneaten food.

Do at least a 25% water change and gravel vac once a week.

 

[KISSfn]

Every week when I do my 50% waterchange and sand vac all my fish act as if they've been given a vitamin shot, extra active and seem to be loving life!

 

[cocomonkey24k]

I do a weekly water change of around 30% and a gravel vac once per month. I have a planted tank. The plants love the left over food and poop from the gravel