Algea question

[grch36]

I've been reading the sticky threads about Algea but I have one question... My tank has been up and running for a month now, had a slight rise in ammonia about 2 weeks ago, then it dropped to 0ppm and has stayed that way. My nitrite and nitrate levels have also been at 0ppm. I know that my plants need nitrate and I just ordered some SeaChem Nitrogen to get that going, is there a reason why my nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels are so low? Also, when I introduce nitrate into the water will the plants begin to out compete the algea? I also have 6 SAE's some Otos, clown pleco, and a few cherry shrimp on the way to help with this problem. Thanks for your help

 

[aquarob]

I am by no means a plant expert but I will tell you this. Ammonia and Nitrite should always be at 0ppm in a mature tank. This has to do with the way the nitrogen cycle works. Nitrate is the end product of the nitrogen cycle and will always be present in a stocked tank. Plants use nitrate as a source of nutrients. So does algae. The trick is balance. You dont want too much nitrate, nor do you want to have 0, as your plants will suffer. Be very careful in your dosing of nitrate or you can end up with an algae bloom if you add too much too quickly. Hope that helps.

 

[grch36]

I know about my ammonia and nitrite value's being 0 but my nitrate has always stayed at 0. With 14 fish and a shrimp, its still at 0, I haven't done any water changes because my water parameters seem to be ok. I'm wondering why my nitrates have never picked up, is it because of the amount of plants I have? not enough ammonia to produce nitrite, to produce nitrate?

 

[Hound]

With 14 reasonably small fish in there I'd say it's the plant load that is keeping the nitrate at bay. My best guess is that with a reasonable amount of nitrate added you shouldn't get much algae as you do have a fairly nice plant load.

 

[pbecot01]

I have 0 nitrates in all my tanks right before I dose. So the level actually goes DOWN just from my stock... so it is pretty normal.

 

[budrecki]

Have you verified you test lit results with either another test lit or take a sample to be tested at a lfs?

 

[YuccaPatrol]

Have you verified you test lit results with either another test lit or take a sample to be tested at a lfs?

I agree that you should be skeptical of zero nitrate readings. Definitely get a second test done.

One thing that I did for a while was to not follow the instructions exactly for the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test. I was not shaking the #2 bottle and that caused lower than expected test results. Make sure to shake that bottle!

 

[grch36]

Well, I shook the bottle, still read 0ppm on nitrates, as well as 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. 7.1ph 2dh and 5dh on KH and GH (respectively). I will take a sample of my water to a LFS tonight if I find some time. This is the algea that I seem to be growing.
A real fuzzy looking stuff thats attaching itself to plants and driftwood

I don't know what happend :/ I never had a spike of anthing and its a month now, thats why I'm just at a loss of what to do. Like I mentioned earlier, I ordered some algea eaters and some seachem nitrogen. Please keep the suggestions coming

 

[kyle3]

despite no nitrate spike other DOM (disolved organic materials) are still building up

- they can help algae along

- water changes also import extra nutrients for your plants as well as exporting the bad stuff so whether or not you end up needing to dose nitrate, be sure to do a weekly water change.