Cycling Question - 0 readings on everything

[Josh]

This is my third tank I've cycled. Seeded it heavily with well established filter media and substrate. Decided to go with a fish cycle. Used four africans. They've all done absolutely great and its been about 2 weeks. The young lab has actually grown a noticeable amount.

My question however is today my ammonia and nitrites both read 0 and yet my nitrates are also reading 0. I'm using an API Master FW test kit. I figured my nitrates would have spiked when the cycle was complete. My other tanks nitrates spiked heavily when they were through cycling.

I did water changes everyday for the first week and every other the second, so I have maintained partial water changes throughout on a regular basis. Not sure if that would have a substantial affect on my nitrates.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Viper]

PWC's will most definitely have an affect on nitrate readings

 

[Josh]

To the degree I have 0 ppm?

 

[Viper]

Yeah, not sure about that. How big is your tank? Are you using a liquid test kit?

 

[Josh]

This tank is a 30 gal. Once it is established I'm going to set up my 55gal and seed from stuff in the 30.