post cycling readings?

StevieM

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Nov 29, 2002
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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
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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