Water change after cycle?

[MikeyTankx]

Hey everyone! I’m brand new to the aquarium hobby and super excited to finally be getting started.

I just finished cycling my first tank — a 15-gallon — in about 2 weeks. Now that it’s cycled, do I need to do a water change right away? And if so, what percentage would you recommend?

Also, will the tank be okay sitting empty for about one more week until I can get my cleanup crew in?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I doubt it needs a water change. Doing so is, I believe, a carry over from when folks wanted nutrients very low and/or cured live rock with lots of die off.

 

[DmitryB]

As long as you got a powerhead and a heater going, the tank can hang out without any residents.

 

[saltwaterfish.com Verified Sponsor]

You should be fine leaving it for a week, and the water change shouldn't be necessary until you start to see some uptake in your nitrates and phosphates after adding in the new tank inhabitants. Then once your all stocked just keep to a regular water change schedule (10-20% every week, or every other week if there is not alot of bio load) and you should be all set.