PDA

View Full Version : Nitrate levels during cycling--Help please


nehsmit
06/19/2011, 11:41 AM
Hi all,

I posted a question about this about 10 days ago but I didnt know how to edit that post so I apologize. My tank has been cycling about 2.5 weeks now and when I posted 10 days ago, most of you agreed it had cycled. I have not added anything yet and was away the last 5 days. I just got back and found all my readings to be zero---Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. The pH is 8.2 and SG is 1.024. What do the zero Nitrate levels mean? I thought I needed nitrate in the tank. I have not done any water changes yet. The temp has been steady at 83-85 degrees. I know its too hot and I only have a 24gall Cardiff so no chiller. My values on the prior dates are below?

Date pH Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate
6/7 8.2 0.25 0 15
6/10 8.2 0 0 5-10
6/19 8.2 0 0 0

Any thoughts on the nitrates and cooling the tank?

Thanks again.

snorvich
06/19/2011, 11:52 AM
Looks normal to me. As for chilling, look into temperature controlled fans. But keep in mind this will cause evaporation which will require a fresh water supplement (in your case probably manually) What are you using for SG measurement? I would like to see it a bit higher e.g. 1.025-1.0264

crvz
06/19/2011, 12:00 PM
Looks pretty normal to me as well. You're nitrate levels zeroing out probably indicate that it's safe to start thinking about adding some fish/corals to the tank, but do so very slowly. You do not want a nitrate level if you can avoid it.

I also agree with the idea of a fan, but keep in mind what Steve warns about evaporation. On a tank that size, a fan may buy you as much as 4-5 degrees cooling depending on the application.

nehsmit
06/19/2011, 02:12 PM
Thanks for the information. Any recommendations on fans?

ginger7286
06/19/2011, 04:09 PM
Just remember when adding water due to evaporation use fresh RO/DI water, not slat.