Nitrate problem with 29g, last post..

how long have you had it, test kits do expire and that could be the problem

 

probably not; i do the same thing you do. for example i tested ammonia last week, and this week i rnsed with tap, then get tank water, and got .25 ammonia, which seems pretty reasonable since my cycle's not done. im about to test my tank right now actually....

 

try doing a 25% water change and see if it reduces the reading

 

I have had it since Nov. I looked for a date and asked the LFS dude where the date was and how long it was there, he didnt now! go figure...hahaha!

So i just bought it and it tested 0ppm of everything cuz i had it during my cycle and it always was at 0ppm until i added fish and coral.then it stayed around 5ppm..Now i still on the same program weekly water changes, and the nitrates are saying itsa 50ppm, i dont target feed, and i dont feed but only 3 times a week.

 

Hmm I always rinse when I am done testing, and often (when I think required ie tubes seem to be water marked etc) will half fill with water add a few drop of vinegar cap and skae then rinse again.

 

So maybe the test tubes are getting "dirty" in some way is what your saying?

 

Another question would be what filter setup do you have running on it?

Possible Nitrate sources there..

 

Its the the regular setup..Bioballs and biocube skimmer(which i just put in the 29g to clean it up a bit)

Whenever i do a water change i clean 25% of the bioballs.

 

It's a possibility.

 

No filter floss / poly wool, foam blocks etc ? Media bag, rings?

Bioballs as in the plastic ones or the lil pea sized ceramic ones ? I could be wrong but thought the ceramic ones were discouraged in SW due to nitrate factory.