Is this even possible??

[Super_Blueberry]

So my co2 was running empty last weekend, so I got a new tank on Tuesday. I upped the co2 a little since I was still tweaking it from the old 55g to my new 100g and had the headroom. Now I had been monitoring the parameters since setting up the new 100g a month ago or so, just to make sure a mini cycle didn't crop up, and my nitrates, after the first week, never got above 10ppm before my weekly water change. I hadn't tested since last weekend, but this morning when I tested before my pwc, it was yellow..0 ppm. Now I'm thinking my cycle stalled, so I checked ammo and ites as well , both were also 0ppm.

So is it possible with the extra co2, in a heavily planted tank, that all produced nitrates are being utilized by the plants??

(Obviously I realize that I still have to do PWC's for other reasons, so I'm not trying to get out of them, just thinking maybe not as often in the ates are not creeping up)

 

[foster53]

The extra CO2 encouraged the plants to uptake nutrients faster, thus using up the nitrates in the tank. I have to actually add extra nitrate ferts in one of my plant grow out tanks. It will also use the other nutrients you add at a faster rate!!

 

[Super_Blueberry]

So with the possibility of a very, very slow build up of nitrates, what should be my next indicator that a pwc is due? Or should I just do my weekly one anyway, but instead of a targeted 40-50%, would just enough to remove waste buildup on the substrate be sufficient?

 

[foster53]

Personally I would continue with a 50% weekly water change. There are many valuable elements in fresh water that the fish, and plants benefit from. I still do WC's in the tank I add nitrates to every week.

 

[Super_Blueberry]

Done and done. Thanks!

 

[foster53]

 

[aqua_chem]

Are you using dry ferts at all? You really don't want to have 0 ppm nitrates in a CO2 injected tank.


As far as your readings go, I wouldn't worry about it too much. As long as you don't have ammonia/nitrite building up, nothing can be too wrong, right? That, and the nitrate tests are horribly imprecise, so you shouldn't put much faith in anything they tell you.

 

[Super_Blueberry]

Yea, I've got the kno3 mixed, but rarely use it since I've always had some nitrate levels present. I was just surprised that in the 100g the plants were able use use all that were produced naturally. Guess I have more stuff to add in the mornings now.