Mitrates drop with less frequent water changes?

S

swamprat

AC Members
Nov 27, 2004
11
0
0
Florida
Nitrates drop with less frequent water changes?

Hi Folks,
Got an odd question.
I've had my 55 gallon set up since the end of october of last year and my 17 gallon since the end of august of last year. I've faithfully been doing at least a 50% water change/vacum once a week and testing once a week also, usually test in the middle of the week and then do water changes on the weekends.
After these tanks were cycled, I was getting consistent test results of
o ammonia
o nitrites
30-40 on nitrates ( I'm getting 20-25 straight out of the tap with well water)
Now the odd stuff.
I've been working out of town for the last 5 weeks and had my girlfriend feeding both tanks.She tested both tanks once while I was out of town and got results consistant with what I was getting. I snuck home on the third weekend and did a 50-60% water change on both tanks but didn't test.
I'm back home now and before doing a water change today I tested both tanks and now I'm getting readings of
o ammonia
o nitrites
0-5 nitrates !
Is my water quality improving with fewer water changes? Should I go to a every other week water change?
Sorry for the long post but this has me scratching my head.
Thanks
Brad
 
Last edited:
Hi Harlock,
I've tested the well water probably once a month since starting the tanks and seeing the elevated nitrates. All plastic plants....
Thanks
 
Test your well water again for NO3, perhaps it went down.

If the well water results are the same as before, I would suspect another water change would raise the NO3 reading in your tank.
 
Thanks guys, Don't know why I didn't think to recheck the well water last night before posting but it has indeed dropped to 0 /NO3 Checking my records, I tested the tap water back on 01-05 and the NO3 was indeed 20 ppm.Must have already dropped before I did a water change two weeks ago. Wonder what would cause a drop like that? Not complaining as its a good thing! :D Just curious
Thanks again
Brad

P.S. MITRATES? LOL :laugh:
 
Congrats on solving your problem.

Thats why its essential to keep a log of water tests on your tanks AND your water source, in this case your tap water.

You may also notice trends with your tap water if you do monthly tap water tests.
You may notice that during very wet periods things change one way, or during summer or winter months things change another way.
Finding trends and anticipating them can also help you thwart any negative effects the tap water can have on your water changes.
 
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