Water change or no water change on month old tank

Hi,

My tank has been up for almost a month. A few days shy. It's 75 gallons with a 30 gal sump. I have a reef octopus 150 skimmer and a fuge with chaeto in it. Only one little clownfish in the tank. The skimmer isn't pulling out much. And I have no lights above the tank the DT is clean, I don't even scrub the glass and the rocks are all DIY made by me.

My question is. Should I do a water change on my tank yet? Or wait a little longer?

 

Check your parameters. If ammonia is above .5, nitrite above 1 of nitrate above 20 then do a change since you have a fish in there.

 

Have you completed the cycle yet?

 

I used Dr. Tims one and only. I'll check parameters tonight.

 

If you used Dr T's, then you're good to go. If your params are good, you can wait on the water change.

 

I haven't change water in my 210 since I set it up in early December. I plan to do a 10% water change this weekend.

 

If those are your params, you're still cycling (you probably know that) and I don't see any reason to do a WC on a cycling tank. let the bacteria levels get where they need without you making dramatic swings (i.e. WC). Long term stability.

I've seen several clowns survive cycles. I wouldn't be concerned about the fish.

I am very against doing WC for the sake of WC.

 

I do about 4 a year.

 

check the ammoria and that sould let you know if your ready for a water change

 

A "cycled" tank should not have any measurable ammonia. Increased nitrates in a cycled tank will certainly tell you that you need to do a water change (or general husbandry and/or maintenance).