Still no nitrates?

[joeysmith338]

Hello, my tank has been going for about 6 weeks now. It’s a Waterbox 20, and I did a fishless cycle with dr.tims and some ammonium chloride. Done with dry rock (up until the 3rd week I added a few lbs of live rock). I didn’t add any live stock for 3 weeks. At the time I had 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. Added a pair of clowns to the tank and they have done great. It’s been 3 weeks since I added them, and since then I’ve added 3 hardy pieces of coral. But I’ve continued to do my water tests (liquid and strip) and still see zero nitrate. I wasn’t sure if this is something I should be concerned about, or just let it do it’s thing. Thanks in advance!

 

[road_runner]

What kits you using?
What's you system filtration details?

 

[joeysmith338]

What kits you using?
What's you system filtration details?

I’ve used both the API master test kit, and the API strips. My filtration is just a filter sock, some carbon and bioballs

 

[road_runner]

I do not trust API as much especially at low ranges.
You might indeed have low po4 and no3 but if your system cycled I doubt its zero.

Can you give me more details pls
System filtration and equipments
Husbandry regimens
Feeding regimens

 

[joeysmith338]

I do not trust API as much especially at low ranges.
You might indeed have low po4 and no3 but if your system cycled I doubt its zero.

Can you give me more details pls
System filtration and equipments
Husbandry regimens
Feeding regimens

Yeah I don’t think it’s zero. And as far as filtration it’s a Waterbox all-in-one. Everything is stock on it. Husbandry is 2 gladiator clownfish, one zoa, one hammer coral, one ricordea. CUC is just 2 little blue leg hermits.
Feeding is a partial cube of some sorts frozen mix (can’t remember what it is off the top of my head) once a night. And I usually do flakes in the morning, Omega One marine mix. Then I’ve used polyp lab reef roids like 2 times. I’m sorry if that’s not enough details

 

[road_runner]

Yeah I don’t think it’s zero. And as far as filtration it’s a Waterbox all-in-one. Everything is stock on it. Husbandry is 2 gladiator clownfish, one zoa, one hammer coral, one ricordea. CUC is just 2 little blue leg hermits.
Feeding is a partial cube of some sorts frozen mix (can’t remember what it is off the top of my head) once a night. And I usually do flakes in the morning, Omega One marine mix. Then I’ve used polyp lab reef roids like 2 times. I’m sorry if that’s not enough details

The thing is I do not want to go research water box ha ha. I do not know what's in the water box, that's why I asked you.
In any event, I would advice you invest in a good test kits like salifert or hannah.
Check your filtration if you have a skimmer that is skimming wet dial it down a bit.
Do not use po4 remover unless you know for a fact you have po4 above the desired level.
Keep husbandry do not be tricked by low nutrients now and end up feeding alot. Everything you put in the system will eventually come back so keep an eye on good husbandry.
By time po4 and no3 will climb up for sure, then depend on your filtration method you choose the way yo bring them down like water changes, activated carbon, rowaphos/gfo..etc.