Habitat - Indoor

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 10:27 pm **water test results?**

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?

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:46 am **Re: water test results?**

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.

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 9:13 am **Re: water test results?**

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

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 11:10 am **Re: water test results?**

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.

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 10:12 pm **Re: water test results?**

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

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:36 am **Re: water test results?**

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

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:54 am **Re: water test results?**

Ok, checked water again this saturday

amonia - zero
nitrite - zero
nitrate - 2.5 ppm ish

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 2:45 am **Re: water test results?**

That looks about normal.

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:33 am **Re: water test results?**

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?

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 4:01 pm **Re: water test results?**

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

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 4:10 pm **Re: water test results?**

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

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 4:36 pm **Re: water test results?**

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

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 5:01 pm **Re: water test results?**

can keep detailed records, not a problem steve.

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 5:08 pm **Re: water test results?**

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

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 7:14 pm **Re: water test results?**

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

Habitat - Indoor :: water test results?

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