I just finished cycling my tank, or so I hope, and added some more fish to my aquarium.
I used a generous amount of bacteria starter when setting up my tank and once more about a week later during 10 % water change. Unfortunately the stores near me were all severely understocked due to Corona and so none had any tests left. I ordered NH3/4, NO2 and NO2 tests online which took about a week to come in. I checked my water everyday since and to my surprise my NH and NO2 levels were already low and NO3 was at about 25 ppm so I thought I was getting along pretty well with my cycle. Skip to about 2 weeks later and my NH and NO2 levels were practically 0 so I added some more fish to increase the bioload to help grow the bacteria.
I just found out that the NO3 test was faulty and would somehow always show that I have 25 ppm. Even in water where there would be no NO3 present. To make matter worse, the new test I got shows accurate readings and it seems the water I am using for the changes has 50 ppm nitrate in it.
Now I don't know if the readings I have from my tank from before and after the new test are accurately telling me if the bacteria are growing. Or if they are even present at all.
I used a generous amount of bacteria starter when setting up my tank and once more about a week later during 10 % water change. Unfortunately the stores near me were all severely understocked due to Corona and so none had any tests left. I ordered NH3/4, NO2 and NO2 tests online which took about a week to come in. I checked my water everyday since and to my surprise my NH and NO2 levels were already low and NO3 was at about 25 ppm so I thought I was getting along pretty well with my cycle. Skip to about 2 weeks later and my NH and NO2 levels were practically 0 so I added some more fish to increase the bioload to help grow the bacteria.
I just found out that the NO3 test was faulty and would somehow always show that I have 25 ppm. Even in water where there would be no NO3 present. To make matter worse, the new test I got shows accurate readings and it seems the water I am using for the changes has 50 ppm nitrate in it.
Now I don't know if the readings I have from my tank from before and after the new test are accurately telling me if the bacteria are growing. Or if they are even present at all.