Strange Cycle...

So, I've had my tank up and running for about 4 months now. It fully cycled 2 months ago. I usually do water changes once a week (about 10-25%). So, anyways, I had to move the tank as I moved in order for school to start. Since I've been here, my readings have been very odd. I never seem to develop any nitrates. I have been running tests for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates every week and haven't seen anything at all develop. Not only am I not reading any nitrates, but no ammonia and no nitrites. Why could this be? Could there be some form of nitrogen fixing bacteria in the water here? I know that type of bacteria is necessary for salt water tanks, but I have a freshwater tank. The tank in my girlfriends' apartment is giving off fine readings consistent with our water changes. Nitrates go up, we change, they go up again. Just how it should be. Any help?

 

How long ago was the move? How did you transport the filter? (kept it wet? how long was it without circulation?)

 

I moved about a month and a half ago. Trasported the filter and gravel in tank water in ziplocks. It was without circulation for about five hours. If the bacteria all died off, I should be getting readings for ammonia or nitrites... but I'm not getting anything.

 

Yeah, after that length of time. That is weird. How big is the tank...what is in it? Any plants?

 

No real plants. It's only a 10g, all silk plants. Slightly over populated with 2 otos and 6 zebra danios. I'm just confused as ****. I shake the bottles like I'm supposed to and everything. It's not a huge deal, since I'm doing regular maintanance anyway, just kinda screwey.

 

If the bacteria died off during the move, you should be definitelty getting a new cycle, or at least a mini-cycle (because there are bacteria on tank walls, decor, and in the gravel too). If, however, the bacteria did not die off, this could be the reason your tank continues to be cycled. ALTHOUGH in a cycled tank, you should see Nitrate increasing over time as a result of fish wastes. Maybe your fish load does not cause Nitrate to visibly increase. Maybe the 10-25% weekly water changes are enough to keep your Nitrate at 0. In that case, it's an ideal scenario. But then again ... 2 otos and 6 Zebra Danios are not such a light load as for a 10 gallon tank. Hmm. Just keep us updated on the progress of your tank. Keep doing your water changes, even though there's apparently no Nitrate.

By the way, what tests do you use to test for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate?

 

I use the API master test kit. I think it's the one suggested on the forums, if I remember right.

 

Yes, that's the best one that I know of. How do you test for Nitrate though? Do you shake the bottle # 2 for at least 30 seconds, and the finished mixed solution for at least 60 seconds? Not shaking the tester bottle enough can cause wrong readings.

 

I was recently reading in a book by John Tullock that most testers aren't meant to give you a reading that is VERY specific. If there are nitrates and are well below the norm (which would be an awesome testament of your maintenance habits) it would not show up on the test strip. You would have to get a more specific one, like an electronic tester, if you wanted to know exact, which is not necessary. This is the only thing that came to mind.