No Nitrates?

[AussieJosh1996]

My tank has been set up for a bit over a year now and I'm just wondering why its not recording any nitrates. I use the API Master Test Kit and it has recorded nitrates in my other QT tank so I dont think it's out of date.

The reason I'm wondering is because as plants need nitrates I would to have some (in low amounts). By using AqAdvisor it says my tank is 130% stocked and so I should definately be seeing some nitrae readings. I have taken water from both the top of the tank and bottom and still there are no nitrates. I am running an AquaOne Aquis 1200 cannister filter and the tank is moderately planted.

Any suggestions as to why I'm not getting a nitrate reading?

Thanks,
Josh

[Brhino]

how big is the tank and what is your stock? Plus, how often do you do water changes and what volume?

[dizzydezzy]

I have no nitrates in my 2 planted tanks, either. I had a small nitrate spike (to 25ppm) when I first cycled, but the readings went down to 0 within about 2 weeks of that and stayed at 0 ever since. I know it's not my test kit, since I have a small container pond outside and it comes out at about 10ppm nitrated when I test the water in that..

The reading of 0 doesn't mean that the nitrates are not produced, it just means the plants are using them all up very efficiently.

[PhillipOrigami]

The API test kit seems to give crazy results if you dont shake the tube and the bottle till your arm falls off.
Also, mine stays a yellow for about 1 minute, and then quickly turns orange and then a rich, ruby red.(I'm cycling, don't freak out LOL)
Maybe your plants absorb the ammonia trites before they turn into nitrate/absorb it?
Other than that, absolutely no idea.

[Cliff]

If your tap water has no measureable nitrates, then you likely have next to no no nitrates in your tank if you keep up on your tank maintenace and have a planted tank. What nitrate is being produced could be getting used by your plants as well. You also have to keep in mind, the API nitrate test kit can't detect levels lower than 5ppm. You likely have your level somewhere between 1 and 4 ppm.

I would get another test kit or have someone else confirm your test results before assuming everthing is fine

[AussieJosh1996]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Bhrino my tank is 230 liters or 60 gallons and I do a 25% water change every week.

Lots of stock, they include 15 rummy nose tetras, 10 minnows, 8 cherry barbs, 10 harlequins, 3 yoyo loaches, 2 rosy barbs, 4 cories, 2 Bn plecos, 2 golden pencil fish and a dwarf gourami.

[Lady Hobbs]

That's good. The lower the nitrates to me means the cleaner the tank. My planted tanks always register 0 nitrates especially if I haven't fertilized for several days.

My 55 cichlid tank has no substrate and the filters get rinsed out regularly and that one also registers very low nitrates......may 5 is all. The only time my nitrates sneak up on me is when my filter is too dirty. I also do large water changes of at least once a week.

[CrazedMichael]

I had a 10g very heavily planted tank with about 60 guppy fry in it, as well as 6 adults, and i never got any nitrates at all. Probably explains why the tank was like a jungle.

[AussieJosh1996]

Ok thanks guys, I guess having no nitrates is a good thing after all.thumbs2:

[CrazedMichael]

Ok thanks guys, I guess having no nitrates is a good thing after all.thumbs2:

In a properly cycled tank,,, yes. For an uncycled tank it's not.