The Planted Tank Forum banner

First water change

473 views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  Savetheplants 
#1 ·
I just started a planted tank this past weekend. Specs are:

12 gallon
AquaClear 20 Filter
Dose with ADA Brighty K, ADA Green Brighty, Flourish Excel every morning
Eco Complete substrate

I've ordered a CO2ART Dual regulator kit and will set it up with a paintball tank when it comes.

I currently have Monte Carlo planted (didn't do DSM; LFS recommended early flood). This isn't doing too well as of now. It's still green but definitely yellowing in some areas. Is this normal? Possibly from lack of CO2 / being newly planted?

Anyway, my real question is when to do my first water change, and how much water should be changed? And from then on, what's a good rule of thumb for water changes? My tank isn't cycled yet - still cycling and I plan on adding a betta fish eventually.
 
#2 ·
"I currently have Monte Carlo planted (didn't do DSM; LFS recommended early flood). This isn't doing too well as of now. It's still green but definitely yellowing in some areas. Is this normal? Possibly from lack of CO2 / being newly planted?"

Yea, this is normal. Plants are like customers. They want what they want when they want it. They're sometimes demanding. Are your lights adjustable? Try adjusting them until the plant seems happy. There should be a Goldilock's zone for your light. Make sure your Nitrate is right. The CO2 will help get things going. No CO2 is a little like cooking without oil if you will pardon the analogy. As far as the water change goes. There's no time like the present.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top