Water changes?

[Eallclass]

I have a 55g with 2 2" ebjds and a 5" chocolate pleco. How often and how much water would you suggest changing? I have had the tank running for about 2 and a half weeks and fish in it for about a week to week and a half. I have done 1 15% water change about 6 days after the fish went in. Should I be doing more water more often?

I had planned a 10-20% once a week and then a 30-40% once a month.

 

[vaine111]

I just stick to a basic 50% once a week no matter what I have in the tank.

 

[Dominator]

just vac the fish poops whenever it is present in the fish tank, i vac almost daily until all poops disappeared.

 

[kevbc03]

25% water change every week.

 

[Mr Pleco]

start with 25% weekly then let your test kit dictate if it needs to be increased.

 

[Dolck]

because you´ve change water so much, it may look like the water is no good. let it be for about 5 days, and keep you eyes on your fish, if it lookes fine I suggest you change the water 25-50% / week... you will see yourself, whats best for your fish!

 

[bigriver]

I vac clean my tanks 2 times a week wed and sat in my 55 it = about 20-25 gallons a week. test the water on sunday and check equipment.

 

[belle_foudre]

start with 25% weekly then let your test kit dictate if it needs to be increased.

I test my water every few days for nitrates. I have a pretty strick w/c schedule, but I never let my nitrates get above 20ppm. But they rarely get that high, cause I do a 100% w/c every week. Which is 2 back to back 80% w/c's.

 

[TwistedPenguin]

You tank was just set up and isn't cycled yet. Forget all the answers you just got until after it's cycled (another month+). Get a test kit and measure ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. It's gonig to be awhile before you have to worry about scheduled water changes. You're probably going to be doing them every single day to save your fish for now.

 

[Nemesis]

You tank was just set up and isn't cycled yet. Forget all the answers you just got until after it's cycled (another month+). Get a test kit and measure ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. It's gonig to be awhile before you have to worry about scheduled water changes. You're probably going to be doing them every single day to save your fish for now.

. Try and borrow some bb from a friends filter or gravel, or buy a bottle of Tetra Safestart and add the whole thing to your tank. EJBD's are extremely delicate, and there's a pretty good chance you'll lose both of them if you don't get your tank cycled quickly. Also get yourself a bottle of Seachem Prime for when you get ammonia and nitrite spikes. Your gonna need a test kit also like said above, API makes some good ones.