Nitrate Not Increasing

[Ryandsimmons]

Now that my tank is fully cycled I have reduced my testing down to once a week.

Yesterday I checked my tank and the Nitrate levels had not moved in the slightest in the past week. Still at 20ppm. (Nitrite and Ammonia at 0)

Now at the moment I only have 8 plants and 8 fish, but will be stocking more tomorrow. (Hopefully shrimp and a rasbora school.) Obviously I am happy with these figures, but I am very surprised that in a week there are no nitrates at all, are mmy plants maybe absorbing them?

And does this mean I can do bi weekly water changes of 30% if the levels keep this up?

Many thanks

Ryan

 

[OldMan47]

If your plants are growing well, they could definitely be a big help with the nitrates. In my heavier plantings, I find that I actually need to add some nitrates to keep the plants fed. Otherwise the nitrate levels drop to zero and the plants are starved for nitrogen. If you do not have vigorous plant growth, you need to check your testing technique. Inadequate mixing of those timed mixings can give low readings.

 

[Ryandsimmons]

If your plants are growing well, they could definitely be a big help with the nitrates. In my heavier plantings, I find that I actually need to add some nitrates to keep the plants fed. Otherwise the nitrate levels drop to zero and the plants are starved for nitrogen. If you do not have vigorous plant growth, you need to check your testing technique. Inadequate mixing of those timed mixings can give low readings.

Plant growth is steady, but not huge. I got worried about the test so retested, this time after a good 5 minutes of shaking both the bottle, then the test tube, and it came out the same. In previous weeks I was seeing a steady increase in Nitrates, so I am sure the test kit is fine.

Still, better to have no increase than having spikes I suppose.