Water Change Question

[capefeartarheel]

If all of my water parameters are at 0 and ph @7, do I still need to do a water change?

I have a recently purchased a 265 with a 40 gallon sump and the parameters havent hardly budged according to 2 different test kits and strips. The kits test for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite & ph. On every other tank Ive had, I have always done 25-50% changes every week or 2 but I decided to see how well the beneficial bacteria worked in a sump.

Are the levels a result of how well the sump works?...and do I need to still do a water change every week or 2, if everything looks the same?

Thanks!

 

[skylineiz]

if everything is 0, you should be safe. But if you have time, i would personally do it anyway. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

You still got to do them to remove junk from the bottom. Plus theres pathogens/nutrients/waste in the water that you need to change out.

 

[Mattyou]

Do them regardless. I havent used a water test of any kind in over 10 years. IMHO its a waste of money once you know what your doing.

 

[navygirl76]

i keep my african tank at 10ppm nitrates and still do weekly 50 percent changes-it just makes for healthier fish and a better looking tank.

 

[Bderick67]

Is this a heavily planted tank? Is your tank cycled? If not, having a reading of zero nitrates is unlikely. Research and understand the nitrogen cycle would be a good start to understanding how to properly care for your aquarium.

You either need to retest properly or get a new test kit. You should be able to see a rise in nitrates between water changes.

 

[capefeartarheel]

Ive "properly cared for my tank" for over 20 years Brian. How long have you been dealing with them?

I understand how to care for my tank. I was asking a simple question because, being new to sumps, I didnt understand why there are the same readings on, what you must not have seen, 2 kits and test strips.

Your assumption that it couldnt stay the same is based on...?

The tank is what I would consider "lightly stocked" with more than ample turnover of the water hourly, not heavily fed, with a 40 gallon sump.

 

[islander671]

I dont think Bderick meant any harm in his post. Its just a reading of 0 nitrates isn't likely in a matured system. Nitrates are usually a good sign that the BB are doing their job. Good luck!

 

[Diskord]

I dont think Bderick meant any harm in his post. Its just a reading of 0 nitrates isn't likely in a matured system. Nitrates are usually a good sign that the BB are doing their job. Good luck!

QFE

I'm relatively new to the hobby but from what I gathered, its almost impossible to keep your nitrates at 0 without WCs. Plus I don't think Bderick deserves the harsh defensive response. I'll b quiet now

 

[capefeartarheel]

I dont think Bderick meant any harm in his post. Its just a reading of 0 nitrates isn't likely in a matured system. Nitrates are usually a good sign that the BB are doing their job. Good luck!

Thanks. So if there are supposed to be amounts of nitrates, what should it read. Ive always kept my other tanks 10 or under but with this one, it doesnt get that high. The tank has been up for 2 months now with all the sand, h20, plants etc from the 125 I transfered everything from, which was up and running for 3 years.

Wouldnt that be a "matured system"? Or because it was a new tank that I transferred it all into and topped off, it is still, for lack of a better term, cycling?

Oh, and to be perfectly honest, the test kits show the nitrates to be a hair darker than the zero reading.