Water change/Nitrate level

[Tony20]

So I just got a 10g with a clownfish, trochus, and nassarius snail. At what nitrate level would you recommend I start doing water changes. I’ve seen a lot of disparities so I’m just not sure. Thanks in advance.

 

[Big G]

Welcome to R2R!

Most seem comfortable between 10-20 ish for most tanks.

 

[Tony20]

Welcome to R2R!

Most seem comfortable between 10-20 ish for most tanks.

Okay well I actually did about a 25-30% water change two days ago since my nitrate was around 15-20ppm, but for some reason when I tested the water yesterday it still read around 15-20ppm. Do you have any clue why that could be?

 

[Big G]

The tank is probably not through completely cycling yet or the new fish are just adding to the nitrates.

 

[Tony20]

The tank is probably not through completely cycling yet or the new fish are just adding to the nitrates.

If that’s the case what exactly should I do? Because I don’t want to keep doing water changes too often correct? Won’t that stress the fish?

 

[Big G]

On a 10 gallon tank you could do a 20% change each day as needed. Just have the salt mixed per directions. Some need more time to mix completely.

 

[Tony20]

On a 10 gallon tank you could do a 20% change each day as needed. Just have the salt mixed per directions. Some need more time to mix completely.

Oh okay awesome, so I would just keep doing that until nitrates at 0?

 

[Big G]

No don't do that. Bad things happen with algae and other undesireables when you bottom out nitrates. Seems like most are very comfy in the 10-20 ish range. So just test daily until your tank stabilizes where you want it.

 

[Tony20]

No don't do that. Bad things happen with algae and other undesireables when you bottom out nitrates. Seems like most are very comfy in the 10-20 ish range. So just test daily until your tank stabilizes where you want it.

Okay I’m sorry, I’m confused I thought you were supposed to bottom out nitrate and then it’ll gradually rise until it’s at a range you don’t like then you do a water change. So it’ll stay at 10-20ppm for a while and the when it starts to rise I do a water change to keep it stable?

 

[Big G]

Okay I’m sorry, I’m confused I thought you were supposed to bottom out nitrate and then it’ll gradually rise until it’s at a range you don’t like then you do a water change. So it’ll stay at 10-20ppm for a while and the when it starts to rise I do a water change to keep it stable?

You'll figure it out as to how often water changes are necessary. Depends a lot on the bio-load of the tank, size of the tank, filtration methods, feeding methods, etc. In a small tank like yours, you just have to be aware and always keep in mind good water quality is our first job, everything else comes second.

 

[Tony20]

You'll figure it out as to how often water changes are necessary. Depends a lot on the bio-load of the tank, size of the tank, filtration methods, feeding methods, etc. In a small tank like yours, you just have to be aware and always keep in mind good water quality is our first job, everything else comes second.

Okay makes sense, thank you sm you’ve been extremely helpful.

 

[Steph37]

I've found that doing a weekly water change, cut back to feeding only once a day has helped my nitrates. I also got a good skimmer going now. All of those factors has seemed to help me!