Nitrate won't go down

[FishStarter89]

My cycle is finished and now I'm at the last step of changing the water to get the nitrates below 20 ppm. I have done two very large (80%) partial water changes and the nitrate has stayed the same (about 80 ppm). Any idea what to do?

 

[FishStarter89]

umm...uh oh. I did manage to get it down but it's like...7ppm now. Am I in trouble?

 

[CaptainAhab]

Most FW people would be thrilled with 7ppm. You're fine

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I've had a cycle where it took three 75% PWC to get levels back down to a point that my liquid test could attempt to measure the levels.

And given that you will immediately begin getting more nitrates added to the tank as you contine adding ammonia (either strait from a bottle, or in the form of "processed" fish food), I would hazzard a guess that there is no such thing as too little nitrate in a tank.

 

[CaptainAhab]

esp in a non planted FW tank

 

[CaptainAhab]

It still amazes me that LFS's don't 2oz dropper bottles of the stuff or that test it manufacturers haven't come up w/ a starter test kit that includes a small bottle.

I got mine a Pathmark a few years ago