Those API color charts are not that great. Damn orange colors are so close in hues that I sometime really have to play with the lighting effect to see if its 20 or 80.
just tested my nitrate it is on 0 ppm
- Thread starter 27woz27
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As mentioned, do you have anything in your tank that would have absorbed nitrates (like plants, purigen, etc.)? If not then something is off a bit, not that there is necessarily anything wrong with your tank - but keep an eye on it.
If it were me, I would do an ammonia test at least every other day for about a week to see if anything changes, and then at the end of that week see if I have any nitrates (you should). If everything is good at that point you should be fine. If everything is not good, then you just have some extra water changes to do which isn't too bad. If you do have to re-cycle the tank, it won't take too long because you should have at least some beneficial bacteria in your filter/tank that will jump start the process.
If it were me, I would do an ammonia test at least every other day for about a week to see if anything changes, and then at the end of that week see if I have any nitrates (you should). If everything is good at that point you should be fine. If everything is not good, then you just have some extra water changes to do which isn't too bad. If you do have to re-cycle the tank, it won't take too long because you should have at least some beneficial bacteria in your filter/tank that will jump start the process.
With all due respect, this just isn't true at all... bacteria exists on the hard surfaces found within your tank and they'd get enough to eat i'd wager. 100 per cent turnover in the quickest amount of time is the goal of every tank keeper, no matter the situation. Is this practical, no. but still.
In any event a 0 reading might mean that your simply removing the nitrates produced no?
We should always strive to change as much water as we can within reasonable limits.
Well, what if I had a constant drip system, what if I did 75-80 per cent water changes like I did with my discus?
no plants just drift wood,and gravel.i just do 50% water change every week.but my filter was not cleaned for 6 months,thats why i cleaned it.i will keep an eye on my ammonia and nitrate over the week and i let you know thanks.
With all due respect, this just isn't true at all... bacteria exists on the hard surfaces found within your tank 100 per cent turnover in the quickest amount of time is the goal of every tank keeper, no matter the situation. Is this practical, no. but still.
I understand where BB lives, my point is that you can reduce nitrates of zero if you do 100% water changes everyday, but you are also removing food for the BB which would result in zero or limited BB colony.
Please stop trying to pick apart my statements, I am trying to help the OP by answering his question.
As others have pointed out, having nitrates of zero is quite unusual and usually points to an issue either with the cycle or with the test kit itself. There's no point in adding to this conversation if you do not test your water.
I understand where BB lives, my point is that you can reduce nitrates of zero if you do 100% water changes everyday, but you are also removing food for the BB which would result in zero or limited BB colony.
Please stop trying to pick apart my statements, I am trying to help the OP by answering his question.
As others have pointed out, having nitrates of zero is quite unusual and usually points to an issue either with the cycle or with the test kit itself. There's no point in adding to this conversation if you do not test your water.
Hey... wait, yup you're right... I dont test.
buuutttt.... still, how can you truly tell they are at 0. these tests are that sensitive?
Besides, my fish poop constantly. and hour after a 100 per cent water change, there would be plenty of food for the bacteria.
I understand where BB lives, my point is that you can reduce nitrates of zero if you do 100% water changes everyday, but you are also removing food for the BB which would result in zero or limited BB colony.
Please stop trying to pick apart my statements, I am trying to help the OP by answering his question.
As others have pointed out, having nitrates of zero is quite unusual and usually points to an issue either with the cycle or with the test kit itself. There's no point in adding to this conversation if you do not test your water.
By the way, the fish in your avatar are wonderous!
Redearsunfish: the issue with having 0 nitrates is that the bacteria colony is only as large as the amount of nutrients available. In other words, if you constantly do water changes to keep nitrates at 0 (or almost 0) then you are removing the ammonia and nitrites before the bacteria converts them. As a result, there will not be a large colony of beneficial bacteria ready to convert ammonia to nitrites and then nitrites to nitrate (two different types of bacteria) in comparison to someone who allows their nitrates to build up to maybe 20ppm. In reality, this is not really an issue as long as you keep up with your water changes (or whatever else keeps your nitrates down) or make changes only gradually.
Now it is important to note that this would not be the same as having plants in the aquarium that utilize nitrates. They do utilize ammonia, but from what I have read and experienced they have a greater effect on nitrates.
Now it is important to note that this would not be the same as having plants in the aquarium that utilize nitrates. They do utilize ammonia, but from what I have read and experienced they have a greater effect on nitrates.
