Nitrates have not changed

EvanStorzuk · Oct 23, 2023

I have been cycling my tank for over 3 weeks now, my ammonia is 0, my nitrite is 0, but my nitrate has not changed since it spiked to 20ppm. I have a protein skimmer on and live rocks as my source of bacteria. My ammonia and nitrites have been at 0 for almost a week and nitrate is the exact same. any suggestions?

therootcause · Oct 23, 2023

What method were you using to achieve the 20ppm Nitrate?

It will remain 20 until you remove it with a refugium, water change, chemicals...maaaybe your skimmer can lower the nitrate after it's already absorbed into the water column? I know the skimmer is great at removing organics before they break down but not sure what it can do after they are in the water as nitrate.

MnFish1 · Oct 23, 2023

Suggestion - put fish in your tank

EvanStorzuk · Oct 23, 2023

therootcause said:
What method were you using to achieve the 20ppm Nitrate?

It will remain 20 until you remove it with a refugium, water change, chemicals...maaaybe your skimmer can lower the nitrate after it's already absorbed into the water column? I know the skimmer is great at removing organics before they break down but not sure what it can do after they are in the water as nitrate.

I put a raw shrimp from a shrimp ring in to start my cycle. I dont have a light on my tank, should I just do a water change, turn my light on and go buy a snail once diatoms show up?

MnFish1 · Oct 23, 2023

There is no issue - your ammonia is zero, your nitrite (insignificant anyway) is zero - and you have nitrate - Suggest you stop measuring and put a fish in..