0 Nitrate for 5 gallon?

About a week ago I set up a 5 gallon for my betta and it appears to have cycled well using half the filter sponge from my 10 gallon. Two days after setting it up it read 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 5ppm nitrate. However, a week later it reads everything the same except nitrate is 0. Is this normal? If it’s this clean, is it safe for me to do a 50% water change every 2 weeks?

 

About a week ago I set up a 5 gallon for my betta and it appears to have cycled well using half the filter sponge from my 10 gallon. Two days after setting it up it read 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 5ppm nitrate. However, a week later it reads everything the same except nitrate is 0. Is this normal? If it’s this clean, is it safe for me to do a 50% water change every 2 weeks?

Got any plants in there?

 

Got any plants in there?

No, only artificial currently.

 

No, only artificial currently.

What are you using to test your water?

If its the API liquid kit:
Did you follow all of the directions for the nitrate test? If you don't you will get a false 0ppm result.

 

Personally i would do 2 50% water changes on a 5 gallon a week. Small tanks can foul up quick. Also, finrot would most likely be pretty prevalent in a 5 gal if you changed every 2 weeks. Always was for me when i still had 5 gal tanks.

 

I know if your water looks good I would personally do 50% a week still. Bettas just have such problems with finrot that the cleaner water the better. It may work with other types of fish but I wouldn't chance it with a betta.

 

What are you using to test your water?

If its the API liquid kit:
Did you follow all of the directions for the nitrate test? If you don't you will get a false 0ppm result.

Yes the API liquid kit. I was pretty sure I did it correctly but I’ll try again. It’s odd because I’ve tested many times before.l for the 10 gallon.

Personally i would do 2 50% water changes on a 5 gallon a week. Small tanks can foul up quick. Also, finrot would most likely be pretty prevalent in a 5 gal if you changed every 2 weeks. Always was for me when i still had 5 gal tanks.

Okay, I won’t go with the 2 weeks. Thank you for the advice!

I know if your water looks good I would personally do 50% a week still. Bettas just have such problems with finrot that the cleaner water the better. It may work with other types of fish but I wouldn't chance it with a betta.

Okay, I’ll do that. Thank you!