Nitrates But Not Nitrites

So my tank has been in cycle for about 9 days and I tested the water this morning. And I had 5 nitrate but zero nitrite which is weird because I thought nitrites come first. Am I wrong ?

 

Did you check your ammonia and do you have plants in the tank? 5 is a very low number and could have come from anywhere outside of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrites do come first, but it's a 30 day or so process so you might not have enough to register yet. They should start to show up within the next week if you're keeping it fed with ammonia or have fish in it.

 

What’s your ammonia?

 

Your tap may have 5ppm,test that and see.

 

Did you check your ammonia and do you have plants in the tank? 5 is a very low number and could have come from anywhere outside of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrites do come first, but it's a 30 day or so process so you might not have enough to register yet. They should start to show up within the next week if you're keeping it fed with ammonia or have fish in it.

Your tap may have 5ppm,test that and see.

What’s your ammonia?

My ammonia was a .25 and I took all plants out when I put kanaplex in last night

 

In some cycles there will be no nitrites at all. What’s your taps nitrate reading?

 

In some cycles there will be no nitrites at all. What’s your taps nitrate reading?

I checked them ph was a 7.6 ammonia was a .5-1 can’t really tell nitrite is a 0 and nitrate is a .5. So I guess that’s where the nitrates came from

 

Nitrites aren't usually around for long. Ammonia reading of .25 isn't terrible if a newly added water was put in, as long as the tank is cycled. Nitrates on the other hand are very normal, 5 ppm is a very low reading. Typically anything over 40 ppm is cause for some concern, but plants use some nitrates. Also most tap water sources have some nitrates already in them. My tank has been sitting at 10 ppm for 2 months now. I've been trying to get it more to 20 ppm just as fertilizer for my plants

 

Nitrites aren't usually around for long. Ammonia reading of .25 isn't terrible if a newly added water was put in, as long as the tank is cycled. Nitrates on the other hand are very normal, 5 ppm is a very low reading. Typically anything over 40 ppm is cause for some concern, but plants use some nitrates. Also most tap water sources have some nitrates already in them. My tank has been sitting at 10 ppm for 2 months now. I've been trying to get it more to 20 ppm just as fertilizer for my plants

So my fish in cycle is progressing?

 

I would say more than likely. But if that keeps creeping up might want to reduce feedings and if possible the bioload

 

I would say more than likely. But if that keeps creeping up might want to reduce feedings and if possible the bioload

I only feed my fish once a day

 

Are you using the API master liquid kit?

If so, are you shaking the bottles for the nitrate test SUPER well? Especially bottle 2? I usually shake both bottles for a full minute, and then do bottle 2 for another 30 seconds right before putting the drops in. Then you have to shake the test tube for a minute as well.

 

Are you using the API master liquid kit?

If so, are you shaking the bottles for the nitrate test SUPER well? Especially bottle 2? I usually shake both bottles for a full minute, and then do bottle 2 for another 30 seconds right before putting the drops in. Then you have to shake the test tube for a minute as well.

Yes I’m using the master kit and no I never heard about shaking the tubes and bottles that long. I’ll try it when I test today.

 

You'll probably get different readings. The instructions for the nitrate testing on the API sheet says to shake bottle 2 for 30 seconds and then shake the tube for 1 minute. I usually do more shaking on the bottles just to be safe. I typically shake all of the bottles for a little bit just to be on the safe side.

 

You'll probably get different readings. The instructions for the nitrate testing on the API sheet says to shake bottle 2 for 30 seconds and then shake the tube for 1 minute. I usually do more shaking on the bottles just to be safe. I typically shake all of the bottles for a little bit just to be on the safe side.

Ph is a 7.4 ammonia is a .25 nitrite is a 0 and nitrate is a 5