NooB ? on Water Changes

[Autophysn]

Okay, new guy here, kind of new in the hobbie. From what I have read threw several threads, It seems that your water changes are going to vary dependant on your nitrate level. It also seems this is highly dependant on your bio-load=amount of fish in tank. I have the Ammonia meter, however never checked the nitrates.

I am assuming I need to test for nitrates, which will tell me when it is a proper time to do the water changes.

Also, when using water off the tap, I have been putting the new water in a bucket, treating it first, then introduce it to the tank.

What is the prefered method? Thank you in advance.

 

[poly-nomial]

Okay, new guy here, kind of new in the hobbie. From what I have read threw several threads, It seems that your water changes are going to vary dependant on your nitrate level. It also seems this is highly dependant on your bio-load=amount of fish in tank. I have the Ammonia meter, however never checked the nitrates.

I am assuming I need to test for nitrates, which will tell me when it is a proper time to do the water changes.

Also, when using water off the tap, I have been putting the new water in a bucket, treating it first, then introduce it to the tank.

What is the prefered method? Thank you in advance.

Water changes will affect your nitrate level. Nitrate is the biproduct of nitrite and nitrite is the biproduct of ammonia. Ammonia and nitrite are lethal at even very low levels and nitrate can be detrimental for some fish at low levels and some fish at higher levels. To maintain a low nitrate level, you need to do water changes. Also, plants will use the nitrate. Beneficial bacteria is what grows on your filter media that helps break down ammonia and nitrite. Nitrate will always be present in the tank.