tank cycles

[twillight75]

ok , I've had a 30 gal. tank for a couple of months and haven't had a slightest bit of trouble. I set it up and waited 2 weeks before I put fish in it. I put some Dempseys in and they did fine, until the other one killed it. I was reading up on the cycles and bought some 5 in 1 test strips, lucky enuff for me the test were good except for the problem I have now. I have too much nitrate. I know that it will drop off with water changes but what is a good way to keep it stable? Or is it something thats just a by-product that will always be a constant?
Tanks alot
oh yeah glad I read all this, my new 55 will be in better shape than my 30.

[OrionGirl]

Nitrates can be reduced by adding plants--they will use up the nitrates. However, high nitrates are not really a problem, but they are indicative of rising levels of other chemicals not so easily tested. So, doing regular water changes is a good idea--not only does it keep nitrates down, but it provides better water quality in ways not so easily determined.

[fishfood]

Cycling does not start until an ammonia source is added to the tank to begin the cycle. It's not clear from your post, but if you just let the tank sit with water with 2 weeks with no fish or no addtion of ammonia, then it didn't start cycling then.

Did you mean nitrItes, instead of nitrAtes? NitrAtes appear when the nitrItes start dropping. I ask because if you haven't cycled through, I'm guessing that you may have meant the other. Either way, water changes and water testing are probably a good way to go.

[twillight75]

Yeah Nitrites are fine. just the Nitrates were up there. It just had me worried but then I thought well it's been like that for a while now. I would like to get some live plants but pretty sure the Jacks or the Zebra mhbuna would uproot it and eat it. With the new 55 gal. I got Im keeping a close eye on the water quailty, since I've invested a good amount of money on it I hope everything goes smoothly. thanks for the info.:cool: