0 Nitrates after cycle

[smelton16]

I fishless cycled a 20 gallon saltwater tank. After a month, had 0 Ammonia and nitrites, and 0 nitrates as well. I dosed Dr. Tim's Ammonia at 1ppm to start with, then went up to 2 after two weeks. Used no live rock, only dry rock. Been 2 months now since cycle completed, have tank stocked, and still have 0 nitrates. Here is what I have in tank:

Seachem Tidal 55 HOB

2 clowns (Snowflake and Black Storm)
Citron Clown Goby
Diamond Goby
Blue Green Chromis
Fire Shrimp
Cleaning crew (snails, crabs, etc.)
Multiple corals (Hammers, Leathers, green polyps)

I realize this is overstocked (before anyone says it), but everything is living, eating, and getting along. I change the water every two weeks. I cannot see changing weekly based on 0 nitrates and everything is doing great, including corals.

I am confused as to why I have 0 nitrates. Is this normal? What would be consuming the nitrates?

 

[Jekyl]

Get a second opinion on the test

 

[smelton16]

Okay. Thanks! I am using API saltwater test kit and use it on a 10 gallon saltwater setup for my daughter. This tank shows nitrates. Any suggestions on test kit brands?

 

[Jekyl]

Okay. Thanks! I am using API saltwater test kit and use it on a 10 gallon saltwater setup for my daughter. This tank shows nitrates. Any suggestions on test kit brands?

I use salifert. However you can just take a sample to your LFS also.

 

[Lavey29]

Corals use nitrates and you are overstocked with fish in a 15g tank. (20g with rocks). Weekly water changes.

 

[smelton16]

Thanks for the info! Will try LFS and order different kit. Will report back with results. Just seems odd.

 

[smelton16]

Corals use nitrates and you are overstocked with fish in a 15g tank. (20g with rocks). Weekly water changes.

Okay. Thanks for info.

 

[Lavey29]

Okay. Thanks for info.

How often do you feed and what do you use? This is the easiest first step to increase nitrates.

 

[maxberter]

Did you detect nitrates during your fishless cycle?

 

[smelton16]

How often do you feed and what do you use? This is the easiest first step to increase nitrates.

I feed twice a day. Combo of marine flakes, shrimp pellets, and frozen brine or mysis shrimp. I honestly feel like I'm overfeeding. I also direct feed corals reef roids 2-3 times a week.

 

[Lavey29]

I feed twice a day. Combo of marine flakes, shrimp pellets, and frozen brine or mysis shrimp. I honestly feel like I'm overfeeding. I also direct feed corals reef roids 2-3 times a week.

Ok so what is your phosphate number? High phosphate can inhibit nitrates. Twice a day feeding is fine.

 

[smelton16]

Did you detect nitrates during your fishless cycle?

In the beginning yes, after week two, no. With no fish and 2ppm of ammonia, 0 nitrites/ammonia/nitrates. This was after 24 hours of dosing ammonia.

I know I sound crazy, and I get it, it just baffles me.

 

[Aiptaisia anemone]

note that algae consumes nitrates really fast... if you have gha its probably the reason... also make sure to vigorously shake the #2 bottle of api test kit

 

[smelton16]

Ok so what is your phosphate number? High phosphate can inhibit nitrates. Twice a day feeding is fine.

Do not know that answer but will get it tomorrow. Will get a kit from LFS and test.

 

[Lavey29]

Do not know that answer but will get it tomorrow. Will get a kit from LFS and test.

Reef roids tends to sky rocket phosphate numbers in a tank and should be used sparingly with caution knowing what your phosphate numbers are.

 

[smelton16]

note that algae consumes nitrates really fast... if you have gha its probably the reason... also make sure to vigorously shake the #2 bottle of api test kit

I haven't noticed any gha. My cleanup crew does a pretty good job. I have a tuxedo urchin that handles a lot of that. Doesn't mean its still there an I cannot see it though.

Will do on shaking the test kit. Thanks for info

 

[smelton16]

Reef roids tends to sky rocket phosphate numbers in a tank and should be used sparingly with caution knowing what your phosphate numbers are.

Thanks. I will definitely check that.

 

[smelton16]

Just did a phosphate test and it was between 0.5 and 1.0. Used Fluval test kit, only one available at LFS. This kit is hard to read and only showed color change after 15 minutes, not 2 minutes per instructions. My last water change was 9 days ago. Going to do a water change and test all parameters again. Heading to Petco to see if they have an API reef test kit. Not sure about the Fluval test kit.

 

[Lavey29]

Just did a phosphate test and it was between 0.5 and 1.0. Used Fluval test kit, only one available at LFS. This kit is hard to read and only showed color change after 15 minutes, not 2 minutes per instructions. My last water change was 9 days ago. Going to do a water change and test all parameters again. Heading to Petco to see if they have an API reef test kit. Not sure about the Fluval test kit.

Hanna are pricey but worth the investment if you plan to be in the hobby long term.

.5 to 1 is extreme high phosphate level and may be why your nitrates are limited. You want .05 to .1 phosphate so you are 10x normal.

 

[smelton16]

Hanna are pricey but worth the investment if you plan to be in the hobby long term.

.5 to 1 is extreme high phosphate level and may be why your nitrates are limited. You want .05 to .1 phosphate so you are 10x normal.

Thank you for that info. I plan to keep doing this so anything I can get is helpful.

Also figured out nitrate problem. I used my Nitrate test bottles from my freshwater kit (API), and got a reading today. Shook both bottles until I couldn't feel my arm. It was between 10 and 20 ppm, light orange color. Guessing the bottle #2 from saltwater test kit was bad.

Thanks for all the info!!