Nitrate Spike, Advice Please

[BethK]

temp: 27c
pH: 8
nitrate: 0.5
nitrite: 0
ammonia: 0
125ltr tank

i've noticed my khulis are swimming up to the top of the water more often, during today, so i took the above test, my nitrate has risen from 0 but i think that's a spike that was to be expected with the tank upgrade.

i've turned the airstone up, hoping it helps the water more, should i be worried?

 

[Curiosity101]

Confused ...

The nitrates in a cycled tank should often be much much higher than 0.5ppm...
I'm more worried at them being that low to be honest. It makes me suspicious that there is zeolite in the filter or that your nitrate kit is faulty/you've not done the test correctly.

 

[BethK]

Confused ...

The nitrates in a cycled tank should often be much much higher than 0.5ppm...
I'm more worried at them being that low to be honest. It makes me suspicious that there is zeolite in the filter or that your nitrate kit is faulty/you've not done the test correctly.

API test kit is fine, i've got a fully planted tank

 

[Curiosity101]

Is it a similar level of planting to the picture in your sig? If so then that really isn't heavily planted enough to explain nitrates of 0.5ppm with that stocking.

 

[BethK]

my tank now, you can't see it but i have 40 odd camboma stalks in the back

 

[Liverbird36]

How long's the tank been up and running Beth ??

 

[BethK]

this tank, since saturday just gone but i moved the stingray filter over from my 60ltr. I'm waiting for my new filter to arrive, so i currently have a stingray, airstone and sponge box filter, until the proper filter comes.

and i'm 50% water changing every other day, until the new filter arrives

 

[Curiosity101]

I'd just noticed that you're running a stingray filter... Stingrays come with zeolite as standard so I'd expect it to have run out by now but if it's not been running long (and/or you haven't removed the zeolite) then that would explain the nitrate readings.

Did the current filter definitely go through a cycle at some point?

I'd imagine the plants + 50% changes every day could keep the nitrates down to 0.5ppm if you have 0 in your tap water... but I'm sure you can understand trying to rule everything else out.

 

[Liverbird36]

this tank, since saturday just gone but i moved the stingray filter over from my 60ltr. I'm waiting for my new filter to arrive, so i currently have a stingray, airstone and sponge box filter, until the proper filter comes.

and i'm 50% water changing every other day, until the new filter arrives

When do you expect new filter to arrive ?? sorry for all the questions. Beautiful tank by the way

Oh and if you are doing 50% water changes every day wouldn't that account for the low Nitrates ??

 

[BethK]

water changes every other day (i should have said 2 days, easier ).

i took the carbon stone thingys out the stingray and run it just on the sponge, that filter is cycled, it was cycled with mature media, originally.

ohh i added that easycarbo plant feed this morning........think i need another coffee!

it's ok though, no issue if rest of stats are ok?

i love my new tank, defo happy i upgraded x

 

[Curiosity101]

So long as there are no stone chips (only pads/sponge) in the stingray then it's definitely free of zeolite. In which case then yeah... 0.5ppm nitrates is fine. Just keep an eye out for any BGA. It's been linked with low nitrate tanks...

And make sure your plants are growing well, if they start going a funny colour you may need to start dosing a nitrogen based fertiliser.

 

[BethK]

yeah, i never took the stones etc out of the packaging, not keen on carbon filters.

thanks for the advice, will keep an eye on the plants. what nitrogen based feed is good?

 

[Liverbird36]

You've done a great job with the tank Beth. Go get yourself a coffee, stand back and admire

 

[BethK]

You've done a great job with the tank Beth. Go get yourself a coffee, stand back and admire

thankyou, will do, once i get back from vets, one of my rats decided to lose an end of her tail today!

 

[Liverbird36]

You've done a great job with the tank Beth. Go get yourself a coffee, stand back and admire

thankyou, will do, once i get back from vets, one of my rats decided to lose an end of her tail today!

Oh Crikey !! goodluck. I left the door open on the hamster cage last night and spent ages looking everywhere for it to find it had jumped out and fallen asleep in the bin !!! god help my fish.....when i get them lol