Post-Cycle Stall??

[DanS180]

Okay, im a little confused as to what my tank is doing right now. Not making any sense to me. On 6/21 my tank was fully cycled(started Fish-in cycle on 6/2).

Since 6/21 my ammonia & nitrite have been 0ppm. Since then my Ammonia has always been 0, same with my Nitrites. Nitrates have floated from 40ppm down to 5ppm.(with PWC)


Then my ammonia bounced up a few days later to .25ppm and Nitrates were at 5ppm. I assumed the ammonia was a false reading from the Tap water conditioner so i let it be. 2 days later my Ammonia was at .50ppm and my Nitrates magically disappeared. So i did a 50%WC and tested later that night.


My ammonia was at 0-.25ppm and Nitrates were at 0-5ppm. Nitrites 0ppm. Following day everything was at 0ppm except Nitrates (0-5ppm).


For the next 2 days thats how the numbers stayed, until yesterday I vacuumed the sand and did a 60% WC. Now my numbers are all 0ppm. Im not getting a reading on anything. Tested twice since the PWC(once after refilling last night and once after i got home today from work at 5.


Can anyone tell me why i have no Nitrates now when at one point i had 40ppm?? I thought i was on top of things and everything was running smoothly but apparently not. HELPP!!!!!!

API Master Test Kit is brand new, doesnt expire til 2017!!!

 

[mfdrookie516]

No nitrates isn't a bad thing. IF you can keep them undetectable, great. As long as you're getting 0 on ammonia and nitrate, and staying within a reasonable range on nitrate (less than 40ppm for the majority of fish), you're fine. Only exception is if you are keeping a planted tank, and you'll want some nitrate then.

 

[DanS180]

I am keeping live plants in there lol figures, i thought my plants may have been sucking up the Nitrates possibly??

 

[DanS180]

Will no nitrates kill the live plants??

 

[DanS180]

Yes? No? Lol

 

[jlk]

I am not a plant expert but you do need a food source for your plants. I do know very low/zero nitrate planted tanks are dosed with some degree of nitrates. I would ask in the planted section for more specific advice.

 

[jetajockey]

That's correct. If the plants are utilizing the nitrates faster than the fish produce them then it may be worthwhile to dose enough kno3 to maintain a low level.

 

[DanS180]

That's correct. If the plants are utilizing the nitrates faster than the fish produce them then it may be worthwhile to dose enough kno3 to maintain a low level.

Kno3? I'm new to plants as well so I have no clue what this is lol

 

[jetajockey]

potassium nitrate

 

[jlk]

Potassium nitrate. I have no experience with using this because I have decent amount of nitrate from my tap & messy fish so a lack of nitrates is never an issue. I believe seachem makes a flourish nitrate product, too. But I'm sure there's other options as well. Hopefully, Jeta can point you in the right direction!

 

[DanS180]

Okay cool guess I'll have to go out and get some of that, any recommended brand??

 

[jetajockey]

you can order it from one of the fertilizer providers online. I believe spectracide stump remover is pure kno3, but i haven't used it. http://www.spectracide.com/~/media/...her/SpectracideStumpRemover_MSDS_DEC0308.ashx
Flourish Nitrogen would work also but with that you'd be paying a good bit for liquid, so it's a lot cheaper to get dry.

 

[DanS180]

Okay thanks I'll look into that!