First Water Change after Cycle

[tsnipe]

My swfo tank is fully cycled, yeeepeee, all readings are 0 no2, 0 amo, 80 ph, 5.0 no3. How much water should I change on the first water change? I have read 50-100 percent? That's alot of water, any suggestions on my 215g tank? Also, do I clean and thus disturb my 4" dls bed?
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[fishnutham]

i usally do small water change for the first few months 10% weekly then i step it up to 50-75% bi monthly

 

[tsnipe]

Thanks for your rapid reply fishnutham, that is what I was thinking of doing, just doing 30 gallons to start off with because my nitrates, no3, is still low enough and I believe that is one of the main purposes of water changes is to get rid of the nitrates.

 

[RadleyMiller]

Yes water changes remove nitrates and other things we can't test for. In regards to the sand bed, does it use a plenum? Usually you want to leave the sandbed alone and have it help with denitrification.