Nitrate problem with 29g, last post..

Since 11/24/2010. Cycled very quickly due to premium quality Caribbean cured LR. I had 0 Ammonia & Nitrite readings after about a week or two.

 

Woah!! thats wierd dude..

 

I use API and follow instructions and hold the card directly onto the tube and get readings of 0ppm. I have had no problems with my API kits. maybe you got a bad one or are doing it in-correctly.

 

I'm following the directions.

 

This is exactly right.

Hold the card on the tube and it is best if being read under a flour light. Move the tube just a inch above the card and the reading will change. Try it with distilled water which you know has 0 ammonia and pooof, it will read trace amounts. Put the tube back on the card and your reading will be 0.

 

I just don't understand how a tank of your size with your particular filtration with your particular livestock could ever create a nitrate level that high. If I were investigating your house as a crime scene and tested nitrates that high I would conclude that no maintenance had been done on that tank in quite some time, which we know isn't the case. I don't have any answers. The only thing I can suggest is to test the water you are using for water changes.

 

Okay, i just tested 29g after about a week of not touching it..Nitrates are still high as hell water..Some people told me to leave it alone for a week and it should be good, but its not..Do I keep doing water changes on it? or should i leave it?

 

I use API as well... I supposedly had nitrates at 30-40 but i put the tube in a white light