Are My Water Levels Ok?

I have a 10gal tank with 3 platies and a black mystery snail. The tank has been established for 2 years. No problems I just thought my readings were a little strange?

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrates 0ppm
pH 8.2

I have a uv sterilizer in the tank that I’ve had in there for 2 weeks now. Could this be the cause of no nitrates reading?

 

Did you just do a water change?

 

Did you just do a water change?

No I haven’t done one in probably a week and a half last one I did was a 25% change.

 

Is your test kit out of date? If it's the API liquid test, are you shaking nitrate #2, and the test tube per instructions?

 

0 Nitrates is a fairly common reading on my tanks. They are all planted though.

 

Is your test kit out of date? If it's the API liquid test, are you shaking nitrate #2, and the test tube per instructions?

The kit is not expired and I should both bottle #2 and the test tube as instructed.

0 Nitrates is a fairly common reading on my tanks. They are all planted though.

I have one weak live plant in my tank currently. I also have a uv sterilizer not sure if that has any impact?

 

don't think the uv removes nitrate.

what's your filter, and filter media? how thick is your substrate?

 

don't think the uv removes nitrate.

what's your filter, and filter media? how thick is your substrate?

Fluval 30 I have a sponge bio rings (ceramic) and carbon that I keep in there because it has been in there for awhile my substrate is about an inch it has never caused me a problem

 

I don't think the filter will have any denitrifying bacteria. the substrate is not really thick enough, but might have some pockets of anaerobic bacteria. the plant could also be helping to consume some of the nitrate.

as long as ammonia and nitrite are 0, 0, you're fine.