My Cycle Is Not Working How People Say It Is Suppose To

[fishytank101]

My nitrite finally goes away, but when I check my nitrate there is'nt any! I checked my ammonia and it had a green tinge to it. Does anyone know what is going on?! (Also I have a brown algae problem too, so advice on how to get rid of that would also be great.)

 

[CezzaXV]

What kind of test kit are you using? The API brand ones in particular are infamous for solidfying. Give bottle no.2 a really, really good shake and a few slams on the table, and you should see differently.

 

[kad191]

What's your tank/filter/stock specification?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

My nitrite finally goes away, but when I check my nitrate there is'nt any! I checked my ammonia and it had a green tinge to it. Does anyone know what is going on?! (Also I have a brown algae problem too, so advice on how to get rid of that would also be great.)

 
 
Is this a fishless cycle?  If so, don't worry about the diatoms.  They are a bit unsightly, but honestly, they are completely harmless.  You can easily wipe them off at the very end just before your big water change at the end.
 
As far as the nitrates... Cezza already mentioned this, but the API kit is notorious for the nitrate test, in regards to the false lows, because as Cezza states, the material "solidifies".  It's not quite that, but close.  There are actually two reagents in the second bottle.  One dissolved and the other doesn't dissolve in the solution.  That one can settle in the bottom of the bottle, especially if not used or fully shaken to begin with.  You really need to bash the bottle for a few good minutes, since it probably hasn't been shaken properly since you bought it and who knows how long before that.  Just before you use it, shake it for the full time they say on the instructions (1 minute, I believe) - then shake the tube as they say after adding it also, (at least 30 seconds I think, but maybe a full minute).   Long story short, you can't OVER shake the stuff. 

 

[TheRandomHero]

Bit of a novice here, but If the tank is planted (I am assuming due to their being an algae problem too) then wouldn't the plants convert Nitrates into other compounds**, therefore giving the test kit nothing to read... as there geniunely are no nitrates?
 
(**Nitrogen/Oxygen I think, but don't quote me on it...)

 

[CezzaXV]

Bit of a novice here, but If the tank is planted (I am assuming due to their being an algae problem too) then wouldn't the plants convert Nitrates into other compounds**, therefore giving the test kit nothing to read... as there geniunely are no nitrates?
 
(**Nitrogen/Oxygen I think, but don't quote me on it...)

They will to a certain extent, but you'd need to have a hell of a lot of plants in a high-tech setup before you saw 0 nitrates.

 

[fishytank101]

yes I do have an api test kit it says to shake it for 5 seconds, but I'll shake it for a minute.  (nitrate is for 1 minute and you shake the solution for 30 seconds) I am fishless cycling, but I have no plants yet. And I think it is algae, because the sides of the tank are slimy and brown. It might be my driftwood though. Thanks for all the reponses it really helped me out.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The API kit says to shake the Ammonia and NitrIte bottles for only 5 seconds... the nitrAte directions are different.  Its a common mistake (I did when I started too). 

 

[fishytank101]

I do shake the nitrate for the different amount of time.


I think I may have found my problem. Algae acts like a plant in ways of using photosythesis and other ways,even though it is a protist. If algae can perform photosynthesis,then wouldn't it take up the nitrate like plants? I haven't reseached it, but I think that is the problem.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I do shake the nitrate for the different amount of time.


I think I may have found my problem. Algae acts like a plant in ways of using photosythesis and other ways,even though it is a protist. If algae can perform photosynthesis,then wouldn't it take up the nitrate like plants? I haven't reseached it, but I think that is the problem.

I doubt this is your problem as you'd need a hell of a lot of algae to do this. I'd suggest either there is a problem with your test kit or your water or the test you carried out.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

It is true that algae does take up nitrate, but more often ammonia.  Either way, that eliminates SOME of the nitrogen from your water (nitrate - NO3 or ammonia - NH3), but as pointed out above, the quantity of algae or plants required to do this would be quite astonishing.  For plants to take up that much nitrogen you'd have to have high intensity light for a long photoperiod, plus you'd need to dose ferts and be using some form of CO2.  If it were algae, you'd be unable to see your fish any more.