Nitrate question

[Matthew C.]

I am doing a FISHLESS cycle using Dr. Thanks, ammonium chloride.
I tested all my water parameters this morning.
PH 7.3
Ammonia 0.0
Nitrite 0.0
Nitrate 160.
I know my cycle is done, because it can process 4.0 ppm of ammonia in 24 hrs to 0.0, and has been doing this for a week now.
My question is the nitrates. Is it possible to go from a 160 ppm to a zero ppm doing a 25% water change. This is a 40 gallon tank.
Just seems too good to be true. Thanks for your input.

 

[eco23]

160ppm - 25% = 120ppm

No harm in doing virtually a 100% water change. Virtually all of your beneficial bacteria is in the filter media, and draining the tank will have pretty much zero impact.

 

[Matthew C.]

Thanks, I am new to this just wasn't too sure if something like this can happen.