NitrAte Levels and pH

[maruchan noodle]

I started a new 29 gallon tank just a few days ago. I let it settle for a day and added 4 Giant Danios and a Pleco to start my cycle. The first few days produced 0 on the NitrIte and NitrAte scale and a pH of 8.5. Out of the tap my pH is about 7 or 7.5. Today I am reading a 5 on the NitrAte and 0 on the NitrIte and the pH is still 8.5. Fish have been in for about 36 hours. I know the NitrAte is not very high but I was wondering if the 5 fish can affect it that quickly. Also how does the pH increase from 7.5 to 8.5 or 9 going from tap to tank?

Thanks![/b]

 

[tikitiki]

You shouldn't be showing nitrates this soon. Try checking your tap water, that would be my guess where they're coming from. What kind of substrate are you using? Some rocks-limestone, shells, corals, anything with calcium carbonate in it will raise the ph in the tank. You can try testing your tap ph as well, take a glass of water test it. Let it sit out for a day and test it again and see if it rises.

 

[Rbishop]

Test your tap water by letting some sit out overnight in a shallow dish. Take ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH readings on it.

Do the same for your tank.

What kind of test kit? A godd reliable liquid kit, or are you using dip strips?

What is the ammonia reading on your tank?

 

[maruchan noodle]

I haven't let water sit out overnight before I tested it yet. My test kit is API master freshwater test kit. Ammonia on the tank is 0. All decorations are plastic with aquarium grade gravel. I will let some water sit out and re-test the aquarium tonight.