Water changes.

[SeCon]

I have one 1.25" in a 20gal alone. I know the recommended water changes are 50% a week. I tested his water and after a week everything reads 0 with a pH of about 8.2 (same as tap). Should I still change the water as recommended or can I wait till the nitrate level gets over 5ppm because of the low bio-load?

On a side note, I started him on snails today. They make a nice crunch when he eats them.

[Pufferpunk]

What were the nitrates after you cycled the tank?

[SeCon]

Today was the first time I tested the water. Just bought the kit today.

[bosshogg]

Personally regardless of the first test result I would do a 50%, wait an hour and then test again, if nitrates are above 20 ppm I would do another change of about 30% and then retest.

[Nick]

Are you using test strips or liquid reagents? test strips are unreliable to begin with and die quickly with age.

[SeCon]

I'm using Aquarium Pharmecuticals FW Master Test Kit (liquid). I tested 2 times for amonia, nitrate, and nitrite. I don't really see the results as odd (if that's what you're implying) when he's only been fed 6 times and I quick vac the area I feed him mid week.

I used half a 1oz pouch of Bio-Spira since it's for 30gal, and went ahead and dumped the rest in 2 days later since I don't need it for anything else.

Anyway, would you do water changes even though the water is pretty much clean or just vac?

[RTR]

We cannot test for much in the water - no tests for organics at all, folks rarely test for TDS, the hardness tests have insufficient discrimination for subtle changes, so we do change arbitratily. I never do less than 1/3 partials, normally 1/2 partials.

[SeCon]

OK thanks. Thought maybe I coulda save a couple nickles on salt by only vaccing while the water is "clean"

Also, I added 2 more plants today and he is spending much less time pacing now. Usually does it when I'm in the room or the door is open. If I sneak in to see what he is doing, he is usually hunting.