The Puffer Forum

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.

What were the nitrates after you cycled the tank?

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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.