3 weeks - no ammonia / nitrites / nitrates

[spm2600]

Fully stocked tank, started with the seven day dosage of seachem stability and filter media from cycled tank. Not once has ammonia alert shown me a rise, nor have test strips registered nitrites or nitrates. Water got cloudy first week then cleared up after a few days, last week water got cloudy again and has been much slower to clear. I've done approx 6 water changes all at ~33% and using seachem prime. Fish all seem happy and active... what gives!?

 

[ImACoolguy]

Fully stocked tank, started with the seven day dosage of seachem stability and filter media from cycled tank. Not once has ammonia alert shown me a rise, nor have test strips registered nitrites or nitrates. Water got cloudy first week then cleared up after a few days, last week water got cloudy again and has been much slower to clear. I've done approx 6 water changes all at ~33% and using seachem prime. Fish all seem happy and active... what gives!?

First things first... Ditch the test strips they are very unreliable and inaccurate. A liquid test kit by API, it's $30 and is much more accurate and lasts 80-120 tests.

That might give you some better clear readings. Putting filter media in from a cycled tank would definitely show some sort of a result.


Caleb

~10g tiger barbs
~45g ick is fixed!
~75g new community tank.

 

[spm2600]

For what it's worth I used a test strip in my cycled tank and it shows about 20/30 nitrate so I know they work. I know prime can mess with readings but have given it more than 48 hours to work out of the water than test.

 

[Caliban07]

Fully stocked tank, started with the seven day dosage of seachem stability and filter media from cycled tank. Not once has ammonia alert shown me a rise, nor have test strips registered nitrites or nitrates. Water got cloudy first week then cleared up after a few days, last week water got cloudy again and has been much slower to clear. I've done approx 6 water changes all at ~33% and using seachem prime. Fish all seem happy and active... what gives!?

Hi spm.

It's refreshing to see such a responsible attitude towards your fish in cycle. I'm guessing your fish are pretty happy right now.

Since you haven't given us the tank size or stock I have to assume that it is not producing much nitrate at the moment. It is possible to have very low to 0 nitrates if you are changing a third of the tank water twice a week. Even more so if you keep live plant's.

I'd try to stop worrying about what gives and continue with your approach. In order to gain a truer reflection of your water parameters you will have to replace the strips with the liquid test kit.

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[spm2600]

Thanks for response, I'm hoping that is the case. Quick run down...

36g bowfront
fake plants, plastic decorations
2 angel fish
1 dwarf gourami
6 platy
4 cory cats

I've been procrastinating on liquid test due to $$, sadly I wish I knew about it before buying the 25 test strips for $10 less.