Lucy

Just thought I'd post this and see what opinions, comments or theories anyone had.

Three days ago I bought an ADF for my 10g. Cute little guy.
I put him in a 1.5g (1g?) hex with a little aeration, new gravel and a 7.5w heater...this is solely for quarantine purposes, he's not staying there.

I had extra media filter in my 10g for a few months, so I stuck that in the tank as well.

I haven't done any water changes and I tested today. I was quite surprised by the results.

1st I tested for ammonia...0
next nitrites....0
3rd nitrates....also 0 (shook and banged the bottle)

I fully expected to see nitrates given the ammonia tested 0 and the frog has been in that little tank for 3 days. So when I didn't, I really expected to see nitrates.

I have 3 theories....
1st and most obvious the used filter media didn't hold enough bacteria but then why no ammonia?

2nd The frog hasn't produced enough ammonia to show on the test in 3 days.

3nd The nitrates haven't had enough time to show up in the water.....this makes the least sense.

I'll retest tomorrow.

I'd love to hear what anyone thinks of this.

sassy.pa.gal

Hi lucy,
After reading your post I thought I'd Share with you that the same thing happened to me when i set up my 26 gallon tank. That was before i read about the cycle tanks were suppose to go through. I continue to check my levels atleast once a week, sometimes twice. My PH and my water hardness is the only thing that is high, my other three all remain at zero. And all my fish seem to be doing fine. Is that weird?

Shawnie

Hi lucy!!!!I think all 3 theories could be possible...as well as maybe, the cute lil guy doesnt give much waste so maybe there werent any nitrates today but in a few days? hmmmm ill be watching this to see also...

Butterfly

what we usually read when testing is the beneficial bacteria response to waste produced.
Maybe there is enough water in the tank to dilute any waste he has produced up to this point. If this is so then you wouldn't have any readings.
Carol

Lucy

Thanks everyone.
Carol, that makes sense.

It'll be interesting to see what the test results are in the next few days.

Lucy

4th day for the little guy. Results are still 0 all the way around.

I did a 50% water change anyway.

I'll re-test in a couple days.

Lucy

Whoa, tested today and ammonia was between 1.0 and 2.0. 0 nitrites and nitrates.
I guess that answers the question.

I was tempted to put him in the 10g tetra tank since he's been in quarantine for close to 10 days.
Instead, I did a 90% water change and added a little Whisper filter meant for 1-3g.

All levels were 0 when I went away on the 24th. Poor little froggy. Bad, me, I didn't want to cycle the darn tank with the frog in it.

Shawnie

your not bad honey!! its been weird since the beginning...least you are doing right by him with changes!! this testing has been freaky tho hasnt it ....hows the lil guy doing? is he as fun as you thought?

Lucy

He's doing great, no signs of stress at all, thank God.

Yeah, he really is fun, I really like him, I can't wait to move him into something larger.

Lucy

.25 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 5.0 nitrates.

Weird.