FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I just started to cycle a 5.5 gal tank yesterday. Added 3 zebra danios. So as I have been using the FP logbooks (very cool BTW) I figured I would start and add some test results just to start it, assuming I wouldn't find traces of anything yet! So after testing and coming up 0 for ammonia and Nitrites, I thought what the hay i'll test for Nitrates. To my very big surprise it read about 7 ppm. Is this possible? The tank itself recently held 2 Bettas w/ a divider. But no filtration of any kind was used, they would get weekly water changes, all the equipment on it has been sitting and dry for 3 months and it has new gravel. What gives?

How does the water test out of the tap? Is it possible you have nitrates in your tap water?

Last edited by DoctorJ at 10-Oct-2004 14:25

Wow I never thought of testing for Nitrates, although I have already tested my tap water for ammonia and Nitrites and both are 0. I'll update in a minute.......Ok so it's true I have about 7 ppm Nitrates in my tap water. Is this common or a rarity? Thanks for the help DR. J

Last edited by Jessnick at 10-Oct-2004 14:40

it is pretty common to have nitrates in tap

Out of curiosity, what are you planning to put in this tank? IMO...its very hard to cycle and maintain correct levels in a 5 gallon tank...Depending on what you're keeping in it, I might consider keeping up with water changes and not worrying about the cycle...

~FF~

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Honestly i'm not sure yet, I actually am trying to cycle it because water changes are becoming tedious. After some suggestions I was thinking of maybe a German Ram, but like I said i'm not really too sure yet.