MelissaF

SO my tank is about a month and a half old. I unfortunatley cycled it with fish. Oops. Right now all my reading are at 0. My ammonia and Nitrites spiked but i have yet to read any nitrates. The ammonia and nitrites have been at zero for two weeks now and I still don't have nitrates. Why is this.

sirdarksol

When doing the nitrate test, are you shaking the second bottle very thoroughly? The stuff settles into a solid, and if not really given a good shaking, will show a false negative.

Shawnie

as sir said, bang that bottle just about on the counter or something...the crystals settle and the longer you shake it, the more correct the readings are...goodluck

sirdarksol

She's not kidding about banging the bottle on the counter. I smack the bottle into the palm of my hand for about a minute before using it.

MelissaF

I do shake it but maybe I need to try to banging method as well. Thanks

Shawnie

also, what size is the tank ? doing it fishless is SUPER but just takes a bit longer ....

Peterpiper

One way to check your test fit is to take a sample of the tank water to the LFS, and ask them to test it for you.
If you have had the spikes for nitrite and ammonia then you will have nitrates.
If you are still getting false reading after shaking the bottles, then get a new kit ( check the use by date )

MelissaF

Will do, thanks