0 Nitrates?

[Squirrelbuddies]

If you've not got plants then its impossible. Tap water will have 'some' nitates in it - it would cost way too much for the water company to remove them compleatly.

I've tested our tapwater repeatedly and it does not register on the test kit. Always shows zero. Our local water district actually won awards for having the best (quality) water in the United States.

With weekly water changes, my tanks still register, though, at 5ppm. So I agree that it is strange that your nitrate readings are at zero.

 

[annka5]

I'm not trying to be rude, but is the test reading a "true" zero, or is it that it tests (e.g.) from 0 - 5ppm as not changing the color of the strip, and you're interpreting a no color change as zero? i think often these test kits mean that the water contains a level of nitrates that it cannot measure - i.e. below 5ppm, which is the best it can do.
if that sounds like its the case, I'd say excellent!
if thats not the case, and you are getting a "true" zero reading, I'd say your test kit isn't working correctly, as I really don't think you should have a consistent zero nitrate reading in water in which there's any living creatures.

please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on that, as school chemistry was never my strong point and was very long time ago!!

 

[ravekiss]

I'm not trying to be rude, but is the test reading a "true" zero, or is it that it tests (e.g.) from 0 - 5ppm as not changing the color of the strip, and you're interpreting a no color change as zero? i think often these test kits mean that the water contains a level of nitrates that it cannot measure - i.e. below 5ppm, which is the best it can do.
if that sounds like its the case, I'd say excellent!
if thats not the case, and you are getting a "true" zero reading, I'd say your test kit isn't working correctly, as I really don't think you should have a consistent zero nitrate reading in water in which there's any living creatures.

please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on that, as school chemistry was never my strong point and was very long time ago!!

You're not being rude...I think you may have a point. I'll do another check this evening and pay closer attention to the 0-5 just to see if that maybe it.

 

[thapsus]

I find it quite unbelievable that you don't have nitrates because you don't have live plants. Where is that nitrate going... Is it bossible that your gravel is contaminated and there is anaerobic bacteria that uses nitrates? Does your substrate smell bad?

I have 0 nitrates too. It's quite unbelievable because I have quite much fishes. But then again I have lots of plants too.

 

[ravekiss]

I find it quite unbelievable that you don't have nitrates because you don't have live plants. Where is that nitrate going... Is it bossible that your gravel is contaminated and there is anaerobic bacteria that uses nitrates? Does your substrate smell bad?

I have 0 nitrates too. It's quite unbelievable because I have quite much fishes. But then again I have lots of plants too.

No Gravel or water doesnt smell at all. The only thing I'm thinking about is that my filter came with a media called Bio-Max (Aqua clear 50/200) but it didnt state that it removed Nitrates, it stated that it provides a great surface area for bacteria to grow. I dont think that can be it.