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Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 2:07 pm
by asianpuffer
I need some help.
Current setup:
3 SAP
38 gallon tank
I just recently switched over from a AC 70 to a XP3 and now running EHEIM 2075.
I put the media from the original AC unit into the eheim.
I tested the water the other day before a water change and got the following readings:
A=0
Nitrite = .25
Nitrate = 0
I did this test twice just to make sure and got the same readings.
I did a 50% WC then the next day I tested the water twice and got the following:
A=0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0.
I used the same liquid test on my snail tank just to make sure and the snail tank got a reading of 10 for nitrate.
I used to get 0,0,10 with my old ac setup.
I havent fed the puffers the last two days.
Any advice?
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 2:19 pm
by Troender
Maybe a stupid question, but what brand has the nitrite test?
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 2:23 pm
by Pufferpunk
AND nitrate test? Are you shaking the chemicals as long as the directions say?
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 2:27 pm
by asianpuffer
Troender wrote:Maybe a stupid question, but what brand has the nitrite test?
API
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 2:28 pm
by asianpuffer
Pufferpunk wrote:AND nitrate test? Are you shaking the chemicals as long as the directions say?
Yes drops from first bottle into tube, shake tube, shake 2nd bottle 30 secs, drops into tube then shake 1 min then wait 5 mins.
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 2:38 pm
by asianpuffer
I use Prime to dechlor the water if this is useful info.
I just tested it again and got 0,0,0 on my main tank. Did this twice again.
Also did the same test on my snail tank and got 0,0,10
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:05 pm
by Pufferpunk
Is there a chance you are just doing enough WC to keep it that way? Is the tank planted?
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:07 pm
by asianpuffer
Pufferpunk wrote:Is there a chance you are just doing enough WC to keep it that way? Is the tank planted?
No i do a 50% WC each week. No plants.
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:35 pm
by Troender
I have several theories, depending on a few questions:
The first reading you got, indicates that the filter is only partly cycled. How long has it been since you removed the old filter?
Is the nitrite test kit's lowest reading (except 0) 0,25? If it is, there are a few things you don't know. Is the nitrite now really zero, or below 0,25. Very low nitrite readings in the water can come from a filter where the speed of the waterflow is too big. I've experienced this myself. Too much speed on the water, and the bacteria in the filter don't get time enough to process the water. Reducing the waterflow will solve the problem IF this is the problem.
Are you sure you don't have a nitrate removing sponge in your filter? They usually are green. Or anything else removing nitrate? Is your tank heavily planted? What's your water change routines? The answer to these questions will tell me if you have anything that can give a nitrate reading on 0, even if you have a cycled filter.
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:41 pm
by Pufferpunk
asianpuffer wrote:Pufferpunk wrote:Is there a chance you are just doing enough WC to keep it that way? Is the tank planted?
No i do a 50% WC each week. No plants.
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:42 pm
by asianpuffer
Troender wrote:I have several theories, depending on a few questions:
The first reading you got, indicates that the filter is only partly cycled. How long has it been since you removed the old filter?
It have been about 9 days or so. I put the media from the old filter into the new one along with the new bio balls they came with.
Is the nitrite test kit's lowest reading (except 0) 0,25? If it is, there are a few things you don't know. Is the nitrite now really zero, or below 0,25. Very low nitrite readings in the water can come from a filter where the speed of the waterflow is too big. I've experienced this myself. Too much speed on the water, and the bacteria in the filter don't get time enough to process the water. Reducing the waterflow will solve the problem IF this is the problem.
Yes .25 is the lowest and it really looks to me is it now 0.
Are you sure you don't have a nitrate removing sponge in your filter? They usually are green. Or anything else removing nitrate? Is your tank heavily planted? What's your water change routines? The answer to these questions will tell me if you have anything that can give a nitrate reading on 0, even if you have a cycled filter.
No sponge. Just using the items that came with the eheim 2075. Use prime to dechlor the water as usual. no plants. Once a week i remove 50% of the water.
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:49 pm
by asianpuffer
The only thing I can think of is that I been dosing the display tank with prazipro (member told me it would be ok) since all the puffers looked like they had ip. I stopped doing this a few days ago but am still feeding them worms that are soaked in it.
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:51 pm
by Troender
Thanks PP. I didn't see that one.
Well, I can remove the plants as the reason for no nitrate. And a 50 % water change a week in a puffer tank without plants shouldn't be enough to keep the nitrate down to zero.
How old are your tests? Most tests (but not all, like Tetra) have a before-date. Test can get old, and then they will give wrong readings (i.e. lower readings than what's right). I am aware that you got nitrate readings in your snail tank, but that can be the test showing a reading too low there too.
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:51 pm
by Pufferpunk
That wouldn't affect your nitrate.
Re: Nitrate 0?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 3:52 pm
by Troender
PraziPro is supposed to be filter safe.