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0 Nitrate after adding 12 fish

1K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  jentralala 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi,

Is it normal to have 0 Nitrate after adding 12 tetras to my tank?
It's been 12 days, i tested the water every day and got 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 0 Nitrate
How many weeks do i still need to test the water?
I'm feeding them 2 times a day, just a little (for about 1 minute), plus a half pallet for the corys
Can i feed them a little more?
It's a planted tank (Thanks to Byron)
Edit: I do a 30% water change every week

Eric
 
#2 ·
Sounds to me that the plants are taking up all the ammonia and hence the awesome readings. I wouldn't say it's normal not to have some nitrates. But if your getting 0 then awesome. I understand doing daily water tests can be tedious, could I recommend you reduce testing from daily, to every second day and slowly increase the period between testing every week until you are happy. I say this as I assume being a new tank with fish that your not out of the woods yet and hence err on the side of caution.
Feel free IMO to increase the food to a full pellet or two to the cory.
Sounds like you are of to a great start
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#3 ·
Thanks TitanTDH,

I got my tank in February but i made a mistake (new filter pad) and i have to re-cycle the tank (3 Julii corys died)
The last one is not very good that's why I don't want to make anymore mistake and ask questions
I feed the corys (Panda are small 2cm) just a half pellet because they wont eat a full one, i have to remove it after a few hours

Eric
 
#4 ·
No probs mate. I'm sure you are looking at the fish every chance you get. But just ensure you observe them when you reduce water testing incase something happens. (Sudden ammonia/
Nitrite spike). I'd hate to see the awesome tank ( looked at your pics) become a frustration with sick fish.
Great job
 
#5 ·
Seems to be a little confusion over these water changes...Eric says they are weekly, not daily, so that is fine.

And yes, with live plants [and as I gave them to you, I know what they are:)] like Water Sprite you should not be seeing any ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. Eventually, nitrate may appear but will be between zero and 5 ppm, with your proposed stocking and the plants. But nitrate might also remain zero, which is fine.

Byron.
 
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#8 ·
...
And yes, with live plants [and as I gave them to you, I know what they are:)] like Water Sprite you should not be seeing any ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. Eventually, nitrate may appear but will be between zero and 5 ppm, with your proposed stocking and the plants. But nitrate might also remain zero, which is fine.

Byron.
I have a nice heavily planted tank, lots of fish and I have yet to get a nitrate reading over 5 ppm. I started in late December with plants right off the bat. Other than a nitrite spike due to stocking too much once, I have only seen trace ammonia and zero nitrites as well.

Ain't plants grand?

Jeff.
 
#6 ·
Thanks Byron,
We were talking about daily water test, not water change
Thanks again for the plant, i want to add Anubias, Corkscrew vallisneria and hornwort
What do you think about it?

Eric
 
#7 ·
Thanks Byron,
We were talking about daily water test, not water change
Thanks again for the plant, i want to add Anubias, Corkscrew vallisneria and hornwort
What do you think about it?

Eric
Ah, so you were...my fault for misreading.:roll:

Forget the Vallisneria, our water is too soft. Anubias should do OK, attach it to wood or rock. Hornwort I do not personally like, it always tended to shred in my tanks, whatever the reason. But more to the point, it is floating [check the profile info], and with Water Sprite you will not want any other floating plants. B.
 
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