Where have all my nitrates gone?
- Thread starter Astro
- Start date
Thanks for looking into this.
Rinsed small gravel from the LFS (we rinsed it in tap water), about an inch deep.
2 resin decorations from LFS for prospective fish to hide in - both rinsed before being put in.
2 pieces of bogwood from LFS, soaked for a day before being put in
Tank filled with tap water, and initially de-chlorinated using stress coat (claims to remove chlorine and chloramine, heavy metals and has some aloe vera. It does not say anything about removing ammonia, nitrates or anything else. In future I will be using 'tap water conditioner' without the aloe vera.)
Didn't add cycle, used sponge squeezings, a few cups of water and some unglazed terracotta ceramics from the existing fish tank to seed the new one.
The tapwater is straight from the mains, no filters, purifiers or softeners.
PH=7.8
At the moment I only have a strip test for GH/KH, is it even worth using that for a reading? If I will need kits for that, I will get them next time I am at the LFS.
Rinsed small gravel from the LFS (we rinsed it in tap water), about an inch deep.
2 resin decorations from LFS for prospective fish to hide in - both rinsed before being put in.
2 pieces of bogwood from LFS, soaked for a day before being put in
Tank filled with tap water, and initially de-chlorinated using stress coat (claims to remove chlorine and chloramine, heavy metals and has some aloe vera. It does not say anything about removing ammonia, nitrates or anything else. In future I will be using 'tap water conditioner' without the aloe vera.)
Didn't add cycle, used sponge squeezings, a few cups of water and some unglazed terracotta ceramics from the existing fish tank to seed the new one.
The tapwater is straight from the mains, no filters, purifiers or softeners.
PH=7.8
At the moment I only have a strip test for GH/KH, is it even worth using that for a reading? If I will need kits for that, I will get them next time I am at the LFS.
I would have them for occasional checks and it is good info that may play in what kind of fish you plan on keeping and those levels will let you know how stable your pH is going to be.
Are your filters running and getting good agitation or any additional aeration?
Temperature of tank, raised into the 80s or normal?
Are your filters running and getting good agitation or any additional aeration?
Temperature of tank, raised into the 80s or normal?
Today (day 12):
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0.8
Nitrate = 5
PH = 78
Temp = 82 (kept high for the cycling)
The filter in the hood appears to be working well, water is sprayed over trays with carbon, sponge and noodles, and then drains back into the tank drawing air with it.
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0.8
Nitrate = 5
PH = 78
Temp = 82 (kept high for the cycling)
The filter in the hood appears to be working well, water is sprayed over trays with carbon, sponge and noodles, and then drains back into the tank drawing air with it.
Well, I am at a loss. The only thing I can think of, in regards to the one high nitrate reading, is maybe the reagent needed to be shaken (well mixed) before using, and it threw your test off. I'd keep monitoring, dose back up to 3 ppm ammonia, wait 12 hours and test for ammonia/nitrites/nitrates and post again. Maybe one of the chemical heavies will weigh in with an explanation and recommendation. Sorry I can't explain, but please keep us posted..this is interesting.
ok - took measurements again today - still 5ppm nitrates. Took it to the LFS to test - they only tested the nitrites ammonia and PH though - and got the same readings as me.
Told them about the nitrates, they reckoned that the bogwood soaked up all the nitrates.
Can bogwood do that? Why don't more people use it to get rid of nitrates?
And most importantly - should I do a water change at the end of the fishless cycle? If the aim of the water change is to get rid of nitrates, the tap water has more nitrates (20ppm) than the fishtank water.
Told them about the nitrates, they reckoned that the bogwood soaked up all the nitrates.
Can bogwood do that? Why don't more people use it to get rid of nitrates?
And most importantly - should I do a water change at the end of the fishless cycle? If the aim of the water change is to get rid of nitrates, the tap water has more nitrates (20ppm) than the fishtank water.
