0 nitrates

he already stated that he is using liquid kits, not strips, and since he has gotten results with the tests previously, he obviously knows how to use them.

yeah, just keep testing. keep us updated. maybe take a sample to your LFS and get them to test for nitrates, maybe the problem is with the test kit itself.
 
donfenk said:
Nitrates are unlinkly to be zero in a tank that is not planted and is completely cycled. Is your test kit old?

Also - the statement that anything under 10PPM nitrates is not good is wrong - you want your nitrates to be as low as possible especially in an unplanted tank.

i have trouble keeping mine under 20 even with weekly water changes.
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in context

under 10 ppm nitrates is bad for a planted tank. the plants need nitrates. in a planted tank if the nitrates get too low..the plants cannot out compete the algae and the algae gets the upper hand.

nitrates is what is used as the 'control' to determine need for water changes.
actually what we have difficulty measuring is TDS.
if you based water changes on nitrates and have a planted tank..you would never need to change water.(in some natrual planted tanks this is in part true) my planted tank can reach 0 nitrates.. I add nitrates using fertilizers..but do multiple water changes(30-40%) each week.

andrew..stay on top of the tests..watch for ammonia and nitrites..if they appear be prepared to do water changes.

I do find it odd that you have nitrates one day then ) the next..but at the moment watch for the ammonia and nitrite..
there are a lot of things that can affect the nitrate tests..it is important to follow the instructions..but when all else fails..watch ammonia and nitrites.
 
What media is in the XP2??
 
Tested waters this morning, Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 0. As for media in the filter It has 20 and 30 ppi foam on the bottom, then ceramic rings, then Bio-Chem Zorb, and finally a micro filtration pad. I will be checking twice a day and post any changes. My fish still seem healythy and active, well the BN isnt very active he likes to hide.
 
Importskyline22 said:
Actualyl yes. It is a problem.

You should have at most 10ppm of nitrates but never 0. That means the tank might go into another cycle. IS that all you did was add the filter?
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What?!! I went to Petsmart to get my water tested today before buying new fish. I was told my nitrate level was around 40, and that 0 is the desired number. I even got talked into buying that rotten-egg smelling prime stuff! There's already dechlorinator in my water, why do I need to add more??
 
AndrewM6097 said:
Tested waters this morning, Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 0. As for media in the filter It has 20 and 30 ppi foam on the bottom, then ceramic rings, then Bio-Chem Zorb, and finally a micro filtration pad. I will be checking twice a day and post any changes. My fish still seem healythy and active, well the BN isnt very active he likes to hide.
Click to expand...

What I would do is remove to BIO-Chem Zorb, I believe this product is "removing" the ammonia your bacteria feeds on. You can replace it with more ceramic rings.
 
In a tank 0 is a desirable amount of nitrates, but you want them to be removed through plants using them or through weekly (or more) water changes. the fact that nitrates show up is a good thing because it means your cycle is working, but you don't want them hanging around. water changes are better than Prime for removing nitrates, but Prime itself is a great product. If the person at petsmart didn't talk you into using it, we probably would have sooner or later. it is easy to measure, works very quickly, treats a lot of water, and detoxifies ammonia.
 
Yes, thank you. I realized I should have read the remainder of the post before I replied so vehemently:Angel: I just didn't anticipate on buying anything other than fish today. If it keeps my fish healthy, then I guess I can live with the funky sulfur smell:huh:
 
I have the same thing in my 5g Betta tank, 0 NitrAtes. It had 5ppm for weeks then 0. Heavily planted with Java fern and some hornwort so I assume they are using up the NitrAtes. 0 ammonia and NitrItes. Weely 1 gallon water change. DIY CO2. Fish is happy as a clam (pun intended!)....

Tom
 
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