How come my nitrates are reading 0ppm.

[Jonnypro]

My tank is about 6months old give or take. I just tested my levels and everything is fine but my nitrate levels say 0ppm. Is that even possible. I tested it 4 times with 2 different kits. My tank cycled a while ago. My stock is 2 clowns 2 algae blennies 5 assorted crabs a few turbos a few regular snails. Coral banded shrimp. Box fish. Feeder shrimp. Macro algae. Texedo urchin. Yellow tang. Sand sifting star. And another star I dont remember the name. My tank is a 135g with a 40g sump. Uv sterilizer phosband 150 reactor and a nac6 skimmer.

 

[bribo12]

It is possible, my tank reads 0 nitrates but it is over a year and a half old. Do you have algae growing?

 

[Jonnypro]

It is possible, my tank reads 0 nitrates but it is over a year and a half old. Do you have algae growing?

yes I do. I got a phosban reactor to help take out any phosphates in my water. I had green hair alage growing on sand and rocks.

 

[bribo12]

yes I do. I got a phosban reactor to help take out any phosphates in my water. I had green hair alage growing on sand and rocks.

That could be where your nitrates are too. The hair algae is giving you a false 0.

 

[mr_X]

If you are using a hobby grade test kit, this could be another explanation. People put way too much trust in them IMO.

 

[Jonnypro]

If you are using a hobby grade test kit, this could be another explanation. People put way too much trust in them IMO.

api reef master test kit and I a saltwater kit.

 

[forzaazzurri]

api reef master test kit and I a saltwater kit.

I use the same kit and get 0 nitrates. It wasn't always zero.

I run a protein skimmer, do weekly water changes, have macro algae in sump fuge, run chemi pure elite and very low bio load.

I think it is possible or very close to it.

 

[mr_X]

API is about the least accurate of the liquid test kits IME.

 

[Jonnypro]

API is about the least accurate of the liquid test kits IME.

what kits would you think would be better?

 

[mr_X]

Salifert and Elos make decent test kits. I'm a fan of Salifert.

 

[huma-huma]

just a question here, but has anybody actually tested API against a known level of nitrates?? i know that people have tested them side by side with other "more accurate" test kits. but has anybody actually done a benchmark test on API?

 

[mr_X]

I have found API's calcium test to be absurdly off. It was telling me i had a calcium level of 700 with no dosing. Salifert was giving me a 420.

 

[Jonnypro]

I have found API's calcium test to be absurdly off. It was telling me i had a calcium level of 700 with no dosing. Salifert was giving me a 420.

ine have been spot on with calcium. Always 460 with 2 different brands if kits. I must ask you a different topic question. My tang has some nipped top fins. You know my stock it should be in the thread. Here is a pic.

 

[mr_X]

Not sure, especially if you aren't witnessing any aggression. How about fin rot? it could be a disease.

 

[Jonnypro]

Not sure, especially if you aren't witnessing any aggression. How about fin rot? it could be a disease.

i never seen my coral banded shrimp on him. I know people say they will jump on them to clean them. They do hang out under the same rock.