Nitrate spike.

[missie]

I have been cylcing my 20 gallon for over 2 months. Everything has been good. ammonia cylcing out in a lil over 24hrs. no nitrite.. and usually nitrate is between 5ppm and 10ppm. Tested water this morning as I planned on getting some fish today. Nitrate test tube bright red. Cant tell if its at 40ppm or 80ppm but either way.. what does that mean? and should i hold off on getting fish or will a big water change be sufficiant?

 

[Aspencer]

I think your cycle is finished...bright reg is probably over 40 so you need a watcher change....over 50 % is what I would do and then you are good to go.

 

[missie]

so u think i can still get fish today??

 

[Aspencer]

so u think i can still get fish today??

If I understand correctly, your ammo goes down to 0 in 24 hours, your NitrItes are 0 (blue), and you NitrAtes went up to over 40 or near 80...

Then yes, do a water change to get NitrAtes under 20 and add fish...depending on what you dosed you Ammo to...4 ppm for instance, you can add quite a few fish since they would have a hard time putting that much
Ammo in the water...moderation in everything is the key 8^)

Good Job!

 

[missie]

You understood perfectly! thank you!