Nitrates

[fishman]

I just tested my water in my 125 and the trates show about between 0-10. I know this isnt much, but I am accustomed to 0 all of the time. I do have a weird question in that can testing you levels AFTER you feed mess the readings up? I had just fed so I wanted to see if this might have something to do with it?? I know it will mess up the PH but didnt know about other leveles.

Thanks

 

[Nitrate]

I would kill for 0-10 nitrates

 

[darb2]

Testing immediately after feeding may alter the results. Especially if you happened to capture a small food particle in the test vial

 

[vega]

If you feeding dry food probably not but if you feeding frozen or live food then definitely will.

 

[fishman]

No I fed frozen food and it had been soaked in all sorts of vitamins and such. Guess I need to pick a better time to test the water!!
Along the same lines, since basically all of my levels are in line, I want to start doing small water changes more freq so my question is, on a 125, if I do a 10 gallon water change say 2 times a week, would this make a dent at all? I have only been doing (for the past year) 1-2 water changes a month. The most water I have changed out was 15 gallons. Granted a 10-15 gallon water change is only 10%, but is it doing any good?
Also do I necessarily have to vacumn the CC each time or just syphon the water out?
Thanks

 

[indy]

If your nitrates are staying between 0-10 and your tank has been up for a while, I'd say your current method is fine and doesn't really need to be altered.

 

[vega]

Alter the time you do the water testing