Nitrate not spiking!

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wildgator25

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Jun 6, 2004
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Ok,I'm doing a fishless cycle and the aquarium is processing 5ppm of Ammonia every day, and has been doing so since Monday. Nitrite was spiking until yesterday, and today it is down to .5ppm. However, Nitrate has read 5ppm every day since Tuesday, no higher, no lower. I'm getting concerned that maybe I have a bad test kit, it is an AP, but all the posts I've checked about this say that the kits aren't the problem, it's more operator error than anything. Now, I would agree if this was the first time I've tried to read it, but like I said, I can't get anything above 5ppm on Nitrate and I KNOW that I've done the test right (add 10 drops from bottle 1, invert tube several times, vigorously shake bottle 2 for at least 30 sec, add 10 drops, vigorously shake tube for 1 min., wait 5 min, check against card). STILL 5PPM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is wrong????? When will the Nitrate spike come???????
 
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I wouldnt say there is a nitrAte spike, per se.... if ammonia and nitrIte are 0ppm (after adding ammonia the day before) I'd say your tank is cycled and ready for fish. :D

your nitrAtes will slowly go up over time and are reduced by partial water changes. you should probably test your water before and after to be sure you are changing enough water. anything under 20ppm is usually acceptable. someone else chime in here and give your opinions :p Hope this helps.
 
Cant help much on fishless cycling advice but Nitrates...

As said they do build up over a period of time rather than spike.

Have you been doing water changes while cycling? as that is how you remove nitrate.

Nitrate isnt bad in low quantaties as said so if its reading 5ppm great, time for fishes :)
 
No, I haven't done any water changes. I'm was waiting until after the 24 hour period from the last ammonia add when no ammonia, no nitrite, and some nitrate is showing. I was under the impression that nitrate was supposed to jump up really high during the cycle, but I guess not. This cycle didn't take as long as I thought and was told it would either. It's only been 2 weeks. :D
 
It sounds to me like there is something wrong either with your ammonia test kit or your nitrate test kit, because your nitrates should indeed be very high at the end of the fishless cycle -- thus the massive water change that is typically recommended prior to adding fish. You may have a bad nitrate kit -- it's happened to me. I would get a "second opinion" and try a different nitrate kit.

If you still get 5 ppm nitrate, something sounds off. It might be that your ammonia kit is screwy, and you were actually putting in less than 5 ppm ammonia.

How big is the tank, and about how much ammonia have you been putting in each day? Also, did you "seed" the tank (e.g., with filter media from an established setup)?
 
The tank is a 37 gallon. I seeded it with a used filter that I got from an aquarium that was in use at Walmart. I have been putting in about 4-5ppm ammonia every day since 6/8. It's hard to see if I have exactly 5ppm because the AP test kit only reads 4ppm and 8ppm, no in between at that high of a level. It seems to be working right because I've tested regular tap water after dechlorination and it reads at 0ppm. This is a master test kit which includes the ammonia, nitrite, pH, and GH tests. I had to purchase the nitrate test kit seperately.
 
I still think something is off with those low nitrate readings but since you seeded with an established filter, I would not be surprised if your cycle is finished. If/when your ammonia and nitrites are disappearing within 24 hours, I'd say your cycle is complete, and after a massive water change you should be OK to add fish.

I'd pick up another nitrate test kit if you can, though, because it's a good kit to have around and I don't trust the results you're getting from this one.
 
Yeah I would have to agree, If you having done any water changes and you've been adding those levels of ammonia then theres a problem with your test kit as your nitrate should be through the roof.

Some stores to tests for you (for free and some charge) why not get your water tested by a store just to comfirm its your test kit as the test kits can be very expensive to buy.
 
plants?

Do you have any live plants in there soaking up nitrates?
 
No, this is a brand new tank. I'm gonna plant some Java Fern soon, after I get the tank cycled and I put the Platy's in. Guess I'll go back to Petsmart and see if I can't get them to exchange the test kit if I can prove to them that it is faulty by letting them test the water.
 
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