A Stupid Nitrate Question

[fishfan2007]

Guys the nitrite in my tank has finally dropped from 5.0ppm to 0.0ppm but my nitrate is only 5.0ppm is that right ?

My stats are

Ammonia 0.0ppm

Nitrite 0.0ppm

Nitrate 5.0ppm

Is that right can you please tell me.

Cheers

[Sasquatch]

A nitrate reading of around 5ppm is just fine. Unless you have your aquarium loaded with plants and/or do 90% water changes regularly, you'll never get it down to zero because it's the end of the line for the nitrogen cycle.

As long as it doesn't get higher than 10-20 you're doing ok.

[Lady Hobbs]

I have 0 nitrates nearly always in all my tanks.

[Chrona]

I have 0 nitrates nearly always in all my tanks.

^ this isn't normal though, unless you have a planted tank. If you don't have a planted tank and the nitrates stay at 5 ppm, I'd question the test kit or the extent of your cycle.

[fishfan2007]

i do have a planted tank i have about 6 live plants in there. so i take it my readings are ok then?

[Chrona]

Yes, it should be fine