AMMONIA=0 NITRITE=0 NITRATE=200+

[z28pwr]

Well, as some of you know last time I did a water change was over 18 months ago and the last water change was a 15% or so and recently I removed 2 fish from my tank and added four more fish for a total addition of 6" worth of fish. I've been feeding heavily the past three weeks to ensure that the new fish get enough food and decided to check my water parameters today which were AMMONIA=0 NITRITE=0 (Ok this rocks) then NITRATE was WAY off the chart which ends at 160 I could not believe it since all the fish are fat and happy as can be so I had my wife redo the tests with the same results. Obviously I have some nitrates but I would imagine that my fish would have ICK, PopEye or something if my Nitrate's were really over 200. I guess I will breakdown and do a water change once every 18+ months. Of course my Wife is making fun of me because I always mention to everyone that I never do water changes..

[justahobby]

Is the nitrate test accurate, not out of date? I would expect some ammonia or nitrite with that high of nitrate

[stoneroller]

I would suspect the kit or user error. One or the other. I would expect "all dead" at that concentration.

[StevenSeas]

Unfortunately I have seen readings like this and worse, turned blood red in 20-30 seconds of shaking. The fish were still alive and seemingly healthy however at that point they are extremely stressed and have a lowered immune system.

What surprises me isnt that the nitrates are at 200+ is that the fish that were added made it, ususally they cant adjust well enough.

[Gseclipse02]

if you want bring in a sample and will test it for you

[jrsatx20]

dang it i should of got that tang from u. i dont do water changes either he would of been right at home. no im not making a joke

[Mike]

+1 for bad test kit... especially since it has been so long since you did a water change... if you are like us, we do not test near as much as we probably should.

[CoryDude]

Nope, it's possible for this to happen. When my wife had our kid, I didn't do any significant water changes for almost 12 months. With heavy feedings, no3 reached 160+ on api and verified w/salifert 100+. All fish were healthy except for a tang which would get some light patches on its skin every now and then. But, new fish would die just days after being added. Except for a problem w/cyano, I had very little nuisance algae.

Why would ammonia or nitrites be expected for no3 levels that are that high, if no3 is the end product of the nitrogen cycle? Sounds like the bacteria in that system are working just fine, just need to lower the nitrates.

[Pennies2Cents]

Bad test strips... :)

[z28pwr]

The test kit used is made by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals which is obviously not the best kit out there. I just tested my wife's tank and her Nitrate is at 5.0 as Aggiereefer mentioned mine turned blood red as I started shaking it (both times I tested). I'll try to take a sample over to AD. What makes it more odd is that one of the fish I added was a skinny powder blue that I felt sorry for. I purchased him and threw him in my sump for 2 weeks to let him fatten up before putting him in the display and he is doing great along with the other 3 guys. I figured if there was that much Nitrate he would have bit the bucket instead of trying to bite my foxface that is twice his size. I'll try to take some water to JT but it's hard to make it over there by 7:00 with fresh water, may have to buy a Salifert test kit locally. In the meantime I should be ready for a 15% water change by Friday.

[Mrs. z28pwr]

For all those times you were laughing at me while I was doing my water changes... HA! Ohhh can you do a water change on my tank also:)

[Mrs. z28pwr]

Ohhh and thanks for testing my water:)... Lol

[justahobby]

API test kits will have a Lot # on them. The last two digits are the year it was made... 3 year shelf life. I learned the hard way when my '07 test was showing 80 for nitrates.

[alton]

Back in the 90's I had a trigger tank for a short time with a queen 8", clown 6", pink tail 4", niger 4", huma 3", undulated 2", blueline 3", and one more which it's name escapes me and my nitrates stayed around 80. I have a hard believing a tank today over 100?

[Bill S]

API kits are notorious for aging poorly. Especially if you keep the reagents anywhere but in a "cool, dark place".

I don't trust test kits over a year old. And I also don't trust API. Of any age.

[RayAllen]

1+ on retesting with a better test

I was just at your place and your tank looked pristine, not that you can see nitrates with the visible eye. Your fish all looked in excellent condtion and health.

[BSJF]

This is why I wish my other half was into reefing - so we could make fun of each other on the internet!


For all those times you were laughing at me while I was doing my water changes... HA!


And then kiss and make up!


Ohhh and thanks for testing my water:)... Lol

[BSJF]

And least I forget the other advantage


Ohhh can you do a water change on my tank also:)

[z28pwr]

Back in the 90's I had a trigger tank for a short time with a queen 8", clown 6", pink tail 4", niger 4", huma 3", undulated 2", blueline 3", and one more which it's name escapes me and my nitrates stayed around 80. I have a hard believing a tank today over 100?


API kits are notorious for aging poorly. Especially if you keep the reagents anywhere but in a "cool, dark place".

I don't trust test kits over a year old. And I also don't trust API. Of any age.


1+ on retesting with a better test

I was just at your place and your tank looked pristine, not that you can see nitrates with the visible I. Your fish all looked in excellent condtion and health.


Went to AD to get the water checked and there is definately something wrong with my test kit but I have inconclusive results since they were having problems with their dripper and couldn't get exactly 3 drops of the re-agent, first time 5 went in and it was showing around 140 and the second time four drops went in and it was at 110, so Im guessing around 80?. I looked around in hopes of buying a Salifert test kit but only saw some Hagen test kits and some test strips, it wasn't until after they had closed that JT informed me that the Salifert test kits are underneath the counter :( (should have asked) .



This is why I wish my other half was into reefing - so we could make fun of each other on the internet!


And then kiss and make up!


And least I forget the other advantage

At first I thought it was great that she was in the hobby also but it's actually just more work on my end, and to top it off she still makes fun of me.. I'm going on STRIKE!!