Nitrate 0 Ppm ?

[awilson360]

Hi guys I am have got a few queries about my new planted 25g.

It completed its cycle about 4-5 days ago and the water tests were 0ppm of Ammonia and Nitrite with Nitrate at 20 ppm. I decided to add 2 Elodea Densa from Aqua Essentials and after testing my water 4 days later without any water changes the Nitrate has somehow dropped to 0 ppm.

I've also noticed my Vallis is starting to rot and turn a very light green and is probably heading towards the yellow colour.

The tank has 2 young fancy goldfish so I thought the fish waste alone would be enough to keep the plants healthy. I bought some "Plant Food" from Pets@Home but I think it is really bad, contains "Trace Elements". So should I buy some different reputable plant ferts?

My plants are a few Java Ferns, a Common Vallis and 2 Elodea Densa.

I have a 25 W T8 Fluorescent bulb with a reflector so its roughly 1W p G.

Thanks.
AW

 

[RadaR]

Nitrate test kits are notoriously innaccurate. The best test kit are your plants. If they shown Nitrogen deficiency then obviously something needs to be done about that.
With 25W over 25gallon and goldfish inhabiting the tank, I too would have thought a trace element fert would be all you would need.

Have a look here at plant deficiencies. http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/deficiencies.htm

A couple Tropica Capsules under each plant may rule out the need to dose macro nutrients.

Old, tired, dead looking leaves should be removed to avoid algae problems.

What is your water change regime out of interest?

 

[awilson360]

Nitrate test kits are notoriously innaccurate. The best test kit are your plants. If they shown Nitrogen deficiency then obviously something needs to be done about that.
With 25W over 25gallon and goldfish inhabiting the tank, I too would have thought a trace element fert would be all you would need.

Have a look here at plant deficiencies. http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/deficiencies.htm

A couple Tropica Capsules under each plant may rule out the need to dose macro nutrients.

Old, tired, dead looking leaves should be removed to avoid algae problems.

What is your water change regime out of interest?

Hello thanks for the help.
Well my plants are looking ok, the Vallis is slowly turning light green, I think its melting. Also I just noticed that 1 of my Elodea densa is turning yellow at the base.

There aren't any dead floating leaves really, just the occasional leaf from the Anacharis which disappears? Maybe getting eaten by the fish!

Since the tank finished cycling about a week ago I have done 1 water change, about 10 litres. ~4 US Gallons, so that's roughly 6%.
Thought I would give the fish a break from being disturbed constantly during the fish-in cycle

I'll take a look at that link and try to find the relevent deficiency!

AW