new hobbyist quesion

[bamf]

i have a 210 gallon FO tank, it has been through the cycle, it'll be 6 weeks tomorrow, my question is all my parameters are testing "0", that is ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are all testing zero. i know the ammonia/nitrites should be zero but shouldnt i be showing some nitrate, is this normal. i cycled with damzels and no water changes. Im useing well water, i live in a rural town just outside of jacksonville fl, plannin on getting a R/O unit next week before i do my 1st water change. also im useing the API test kit

 

[ibanez]

With that much water, if you only have a couple fish in there, that is not a lot of waste, and you probably have a little algae consuming the nitrates. Add fish slowly, or you will end up with another cycle.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by IbanEz
http:///forum/post/3248599
. Add fish slowly, or you will end up with another cycle.
Good advice.
With only the damsels in 210 gals of water, there probably isn't enough nitrate to read. Also, if you bought cycled LR; it could be doing its job already. BTW, I know its not your fault, but tell the guy at the lfs that damsel cycling is cruel and unnecessary. a dead shrimp does the same thing. You may want to get the damsels out while you can; you'll want to sooner or later. How to get rid of damsels is probably the most common fish topic on this forum.

 

[florida joe]

Just a point of info. Nitrate testing is notorious for false readings. Not so much the test kit but tester error. When you test make sure you are doing exactly as prescribed (nitrates are the only test i use a stop watch when timing each procedure)

 

[bamf]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3248701
Just a point of info. Nitrate testing is notorious for false readings. Not so much the test kit but tester error. When you test make sure you are doing exactly as prescribed (nitrates are the only test i use a stop watch when timing each procedure)
i actually do the same.