Ive been testing nitrate wrong!

[Willba200]

Hi, been cycling tank for 4/5 weeks. Used a couple of prawns and ammonia shot up then after few days my readings were all 0. My problem is I have a A.P.I test kit and was not shaking the nitrate tube enough! ( don't have instruction card). All tests apart from nitrate are 0. My nitrate now that I'm doing it properly is between 30/40ppm. I take it that my tank has cycled and I need to get nitrate down to 0 by doing water changes? Should I do this daily or weekly? Other problem is I put 3 hermit crabs in on Sunday and 3 turbo snails also! Will they be ok? I feel a bit of a idiot in thinking that all this time my nitrates were at 0. Any advice. Thanks. I'm using live rock live sand and a protein skimmer as my filtration. Also have a couple of powerheads.

 

[Willba200]

Have just done a 20% water change

 

[Tmar]

sounds like you are alright! 30-40 ... well it could have been much worse!! just be sure to check it again a few hours after the water change and if it's still above 10 I would do another small water change. I hope your crabs and snails will b ok

 

[Willba200]

I will have to do it in the morning as I'm out of r.o. All of my critters like starfish etc seem to be ok so I'm hoping crabs and snails will be to.

 

[Tmar]

I am sure you will be fine for a while if you just did a pwc anyway

 

[Willba200]

At least I know I have cycled. When nitrates are out of the way. (School boy error)