dinatwin

My 5 gallon hex is CYCLED!!!! I never thought it would happen. My 2 small tanks cycled within a few days after adding safestart but the 5 gallon hex took almost 2 weeks after safestart.

So almost 3 months of daily water changes it's finally done.

OK so now how often does the tank water need to be changed now that it's cycled? And what percent of water? 25% 50% etc?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer all my questions

pinkfloydpuffer

Woohoo! Congrats!
Waterchange schedule depends on how stocked your tanks are and what kind of fish. I do 25% changes weekly on all of mine.

jdhef

Congratulations on finally cycling that tank!

I do 50% weekly water changes, because my tap water has a nitrate reading of 10.

My API test kit instruction booklet says that the max nitrates should be is 40. Some on this forum will say less than 30 is where you want to be. So if you test your water's nitrates, you can let that be your guide for frequency of water changes and amount of water to change.

Lucy

Congratulations!

I usually change out about 25% weekly.

dinatwin

Thanks pinkfloydpuffer and jdhef!! My Nitrates are currently at 10. I will certainly keep watching them since my tank is overstocked.

Thanks again for your help

dinatwin

Lucy we must have been posting at the same time LOL

It took forever but thank heavens it's done.
Thanks for your advice

Lucy

lol, we must be!

Your welcome, but I'm sure others contributed also.

MrsM3197

Congrats on getting the tank cycled Dina! I do 1/3 water and vac/stir 1/3 of the substrate every Saturday. I've done once weekly changes and vacs religiously since I had them set up with the exception of when I hurt my back and took a week off. Even when I waited 2 weeks my parimeters were never above 0-0-15. Quite honestly I'm seriously considering going to water changes 2x monthly. Like John said, nitrates will let you know when you need to do a change.

dinatwin

Thanks MrsM3197 I love to hear how everyone does it. I appreciate it very much

Jess

Hey that's great! Love that nice clear water too!