post cycling readings?

[StevieM]

hey all...happy new year. My questions is :

I believe one of my tanks just finished its cycle. I did pwc a couple days ago to ease the Nitrite peak with the fish and over the last week watched the Nitrites and Ammonia both be 0 officially as of yesterday. Ammo and Nitrite are at 0 still today but the NitRATES went down to 0 from approximately 15-20 ppm two days ago as well ( my kit is hard to read the colors at the low levels, could be 2.5 ) I haven't touched the tank since that 30% water change save their normal once a day feeding I give them. Is it normal for the 'trates to drop as well? when you get over that Nitrite hump? Any ideas are more than welcome...thanks!!

steve

[morleyz]

No...Nitrates would normally increase after nitrites drop. In unplanted aquaria, the only common way to remove nitrates is through water changes. If you just got your 0 readings I would wait 2-3 days testing each day to make sure they're going to stay 0...then do your nitrate test again. I thought I read somewhere that the presence of nitrites can mess up the nitrate test...so that might be what you're seeing (someone correct this if I'm nuts).

HTH

[StevieM]

sorry , in an effort to keep the post shorter I forgot to mention that my tank was planted, but not heavily. Right now there is just some Hygro in there and lately it has been doing pretty well growth-wise. I for the size of the tank , I would say it is lightly planted. So, if that has anything to do with it.......would be my next question.

steve

[MP]

Assuming that your testing was flawless, nitrate drop could be caused by the recent water change and the growing plants.

[StevieM]

well, over the last two days ive done a bunch of readings and everything seems to be normal. My guess is that the large scale water change had something to do with it. Everything is proceeding as normal I guess nitrites and ammonia are at 0 and my Nitrates are climbing, and its been so for the last 3 days. It will be my first tank cycle so i'm keeping my fingers crossed!! thanks for your input

steve