Tropical Fish Forums

[FISHBOY3]

I was wondering why my FO tank has no nitrates whenever I test it. I know the test kits work as I have used them on other tanks and had results of 5, 10 and 20ppm but every time I test my FO tank it has no nitrate. The tank is 1 year old and currently contains 2 common clowns, 1 blue tailed wrasse, 1 pyjama cardinal and 1 orange firefish. I carry out a 15% water change every 2 weeks using aquaone aquasalt and tap water (my tapwater contains no nitrate). My tank is filtered by an aquamedic biostar flotar which is a skimmer and biowheel in one and also by an aquamedic powerfilter pf1000. Any ideas why there is no nitrate.

[FloridaBoy]

Well, just guessing but probably because...

1. your skimmer is effectively removing wastes before they are converted to nitrate.

2. In addition, you're replacing about one third percent of the water every month, and that's helping too.

3. You probably take care not to overfeed your fish.

What is the depth of your substrate and what type of substrate are you using?

At any rate, it's a nice problem to have, figuring out why you have zero nitrates...
_________________
Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[FISHBOY3]

My substrate is caribsea aragonite and is around 2 cm thick. I don't think it would have denitrifing properties because it is so thin and each time I do a water change I also syphon it. The skimmer is also rated for up to 250l so it is probably very efficient. This is probably the best fishkeeping problem I have ever had.
Thanks for your help FloridaBoy.

[art_of_war]

no nitrates...hmm. So, what's the problem?

[FloridaBoy]

[FISHBOY3]

thanks everyone