slizard

It's been a month and a couple of days since beginning a fish-free cycle, and now my ammonia and nitrites are dropping back to zero within twelve hours. So I prepare to do a water change and then add my fish.

Last thing I do before the water change is to run my tests:

Ammonia = zero
Nitrites = zero
But get this...
Nitrates = ZERO

I have been keeping a close eye on my nitrites watching how long it was taking them to return to zero, and haven't checked my nitrates since last weekend, where they were 10ppm. That said I know the test kit is good.

It stands to reason that a week later my nitrates would be even greater, not entirely absent. I repeated the test just to make sure, and sure enough, zero nitrates.

I am using API master test kit.

The big question is where have the nitrates gone? Can activated charcoal absorb nitrates? That would be the only explanation I can think of.

Lucy

The #2 nitrate bottle has to be extremely well mixed. This isn't the correct terminology, I'm sure, but there are crystals in it and it takes a lot to get them mixed.
I have to shake the bottle and bang it on a table and shake it some more to get it mixed.

I'll bet that's the problem.

Here's a link that explains it:

Important Information for API Freshwater Master Test Kit Users!

slizard

Dear Lucy,
If you could be any more right you'd be me. lol

I would have done more of a water change then I did if I had gotten the test results that I just did, which was 80%. For me it's hard to tell the difference on the color chart between 40 and 80ppm, they both look almost the same to me. The sample I took is very red.

My fish are in there now and seem to be doing great.

How should I handle the nitrate issue now that I see that I have one?

Shawnie

whahooo on the cycle..congrats..water changes are the best for bringing nitrates down and dont over feed

pepetj

Hi slizard. I'm new too.
As far as I know, the only safe/effective way to handle Nitrates, is by partial water changes (including gravel vacuum). I would try 20 or 25% water change.
Nitrate reading in zero is probably a false negative, due to problems in the reagents, please read the link on the API FW Master Test Kit provided by Lucy.
Zero readings are expected in Ammonia and Nitrites, but not in Nitrates. I would keep on checking water parameters, just to be careful.

Pepe
Old Newby

JRunyon21

Congrats on the success of the cycle. I just started my first fishless cycle couple days ago. From what I have read from many many many places is water changes just as stated above. Since you did a very large water change you should be on the right track(from what I've read). I would to aim to get them below 20ppm with daily water changes(20-30%).