When to perform first water change and what percentage?

[larsson]

The tank is 2 weeks old and a few days. All water, live rock, and live sand came from an established aquarium. Water parameters are fine. When should I perform the first water change and what percentage? It is a 2 gallon nano.

[Mickadee]

usually its about 10% or so . I figure maybe a couple of cups for that size tank. just have to make sure to match water paremeters to the tank.
what are your readings?
mostly water changes are for replenishing trace elements and nitrate reductions.
so if its all new water and the nitrates arnt high then I would probably wait but you can change some water out after ammonia and nitrite are 0 out.
Mike

[larsson]

Ammonia is <0.3 mg/l
Nitrites are 0
PH 8.0
KH 11

I need to get a nitrate kit and probably will get a better saltwater kit. This one doesn't get to the absolute decimal point.

[Geoff]

when dealing with tanks in the pico size range i found it better and safer to use water from an established tank as the water change. when i kept my 1.5gal macquarium in SW mode, whenever i did water changes with ASW it seemed to annoy the critters. when i did the change using water from my reef tank things did not seem to mind at all. i also did water changes daily due to its small size. it was only an 8 oz. up a day.

watch your salinity, it is a bear in these small tanks.

G~

[larsson]

I check specific gravity daily. I top off with RO/DI water daily. How large of a water change do you perform daily? My concern is that my peppermint shrimp has molted 3 times in the past two weeks. Is he just growing rapidly or should I be concerned? He acts normal, eats anything.