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Okay so in preperation for my weekly water change, I did the water tests.

Filtration is 2 fx6s 10 l of bio media.


My results

amonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0

The amonia and nitrite I understand, its the nitrate I did not expect. I don't have any plants? I did the nitrate test twice and still zero. Is this possible?

I'd suspect the nitrate test.

There are bacteria that can turn nitrate into nitrogen, but they need anaerobic conditions. They will exist deep in a substrate, but there won't be enough nitrate flowing there to reduce to 0. SeaChem claims that there Matrix product can get this bacteria inside the biomedia in a filter. But, again, it's not going to reduce it to 0, just slow the buildup.

How long has the water been in the tank? What test kit are you using?

2 weeks, did a 50 percent change about 2 weeks ago, the tank has been up with 2 turtles, 1 guppy, 1 algea eater, and a dozen shrimp for a month or 2. It is the api fresh water kit test kit and it has always shown nitrate before. The only change since last test was more fish and the second fx6 with the addidion of 8l of biomedia.

the only thing I can figure, is your tank is still relatively new. probably just got done cycling.

Makes sense, this was the first test that amonia and nitrite was zero's

Ok, checked water again this saturday

amonia - zero
nitrite - zero
nitrate - 2.5 ppm ish

That looks about normal.

Thanks, I do have one question. How do I determine how much water to change. So if I test next week and its 5 ppm should I do 10 percent, but if its 15 ppm do like 30 percent?

Good question. Are you keeping a log of the measurements?

I stopped testing some time ago. I just do 30-40% weekly. Keeps nitrates below 40 ppm. Usually around 20 ppm.

Wow that's a ton of filtration! I also no longer test for nitrates, I just do twice monthly or monthly large water changes.

can keep detailed records, not a problem steve.

Kansas, is 20 ppm a livable number? I have no idea when nitrates become dangerous.

It seems that this is an issue that needs more research.