Just transfered over to my 75g

[Convict2161]

Question. Tested the water.

Ammonia 0 ppm

pH 7.6

Nitrate 20 ppm

Nitrite 0 ppm

What happened to my Nitrates? They jumped. They were usually 5.0 ppm. No other fish were added. Just a few anubias plants and one extra piece of driftwood that's pretty much it. I transferred all the water from the old tank as well.

Any ideas?

 

[Sharkbait54]

Idk but you'll be fine unless you have oversensitive fish don't worry.

 

[OasisKeeper]

What happened to my Nitrates? They jumped. They were usually 5.0 ppm. No other fish were added. Just a few anubias plants and one extra piece of driftwood that's pretty much it. I transferred all the water from the old tank as well.

Any ideas?

Did you test just before you transferred the water? Perhaps they were already up just a bit. A couple thoughts.. 20ppm nitrates is nothing to worry over much. Second, the API test kit for nitrate can be inconsistent.

If it were me, I'd wait a few days and test again. In the mean time I am sure you are watching the ammonia and nitrites.. if trouble is coming it will show up there first.

Oh, and congrats on the move with your hair still in.

 

[Convict2161]

Did you test just before you transferred the water? Perhaps they were already up just a bit. A couple thoughts.. 20ppm nitrates is nothing to worry over much. Second, the API test kit for nitrate can be inconsistent.

If it were me, I'd wait a few days and test again. In the mean time I am sure you are watching the ammonia and nitrites.. if trouble is coming it will show up there first.

Oh, and congrats on the move with your hair still in.

Thanks! LOL! I'll keep an eye out. You know me.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I'd suspect it came with the water you transferred... since it is just dirty water afterall. Did you move substrate too? If so, you could have kicked up some mulm and caused the nitrate to rise. It's also possible you have a testing error.

 

[Convict2161]

I'd suspect it came with the water you transferred... since it is just dirty water afterall. Did you move substrate too? If so, you could have kicked up some mulm and caused the nitrate to rise. It's also possible you have a testing error.

Gonna re test when I get home. And no, used all new substrate with a sand base that the bag said was made for African Cichlid's got it at the LFS.

 

[Convict2161]

Re tested.

Temp is a even 78 throughout.

Thermostats on both sides of tank are reading the same. Fish are active and eating. Lights only stay on maybe for 5-6 hours a day.

pH 7.6

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0

Nitrate 40

Is there something going on here? Should I be concerned? It seems to be rising. Nothing added other then 1 additional piece of DW and some Anubias.



View attachment 63396

 

[Convict2161]

Anyone? Not scheduled for a water change until Saturday, should I do one today?

 

[OasisKeeper]

Frankie say: Relax. Nitrates are normal and means the biofilter is working. Nitrate toxicity in fish is widely debated, but for context, aquaculture operations sometimes run with nitrate levels in the hundreds.

Read this Nitrate - The Free Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Encyclopedia Anyone Can Edit - The Aquarium Wiki if you like.

 

[Convict2161]

Frankie say: Relax. Nitrates are normal and means the biofilter is working. Nitrate toxicity in fish is widely debated, but for context, aquaculture operations sometimes run with nitrate levels in the hundreds.

Read this Nitrate - The Free Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Encyclopedia Anyone Can Edit - The Aquarium Wiki if you like.

Ok thanks. I'll stop pulling my hair out now. And I'll check out that link.