Managing Nitrates on a New Tank after Fishless Cycle

[LuisJr80]

Hi to all,

I just completed fishless cycling on a new tank (16gal Biocube) and did a 25% water change today and my nitrates are still high (around 80ppm). Prior to the water change, I was toping the charts at 160ppm so I know the water changes helped but not enough.

Should I perform another water change today of 50%?

 

[Spare time]

Have you compared it to another test kit? Keep in mind nitrite can interfere with nitrate test kits and make your nitrate appear very high

 

[LuisJr80]

Have you compared it to another test kit? Keep in mind nitrite can interfere with nitrate test kits and make your nitrate appear very high

No I haven’t compared to another kit. That said should I also test with two kits for accuracy?

 

[Spare time]

No I haven’t compared to another kit. That said should I also test with two kits for accuracy?

Given that there is nitrite, I might wait to try another kit. I think the API is one that has the nitrite interference but I need to double check

 

[LuisJr80]

So I went to my local shop and levels are good! Added my first livestock this past weekend. Happy tank so far!