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mrlimpet
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Posts: 52
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Registered: 11-Dec-2004
male usa
Hello again...
I am cycling my 20 gallon marine tank with live rock. First I had high ammonia, then high nitites. I came home from Christmas vacation, and the nitrite levels are zero! Here's the odd part, so are the the Nitrate levels...0. Last week, the were about 10 mg/ml...Is that cool? I expected them to go up, then have to do a hug water change. Any thoughts?

Ed
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile PM Edit Report 
dthurs
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Registered: 18-Feb-2003
male usa
There could be a problem with your test kit. Take a sample to your LFS and have them test it. Another option is if you have a DSB (Deep Sand Bed) it could already be converting nitrates to nitrogen. Look for bubbles in the sand. If you have a LOT of live rock, you could also be converting nitrate to nitrogen. But I would start with checking the test kit.



Dan
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile Homepage AIM Yahoo PM Edit Report 
mrlimpet
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Posts: 52
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Registered: 11-Dec-2004
male usa
Thanks....I'm going to take a sample to the shop. I have about 15 lbs of live rock in the 20 gallon tank, about two inches of coral sand substrate, (the kind that comes "live" in a bag) I also used Cycle to kick start the process...It's been almost three weeks since I started all of this...

Ed
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile PM Edit Report 
dthurs
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Ultimate Fish Guru
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Registered: 18-Feb-2003
male usa
It is possible that your converting nitrates, but it would be a bit soon, unless you had good live sand. But as I said, it's a good idea to verify your test kit. It should have shown atleast a little, around 5 or so. My tests always show a very slight pink color, and I have 125+ pounds of LR and 150 pounds of sand.



Dan
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile Homepage AIM Yahoo PM Edit Report 
mrlimpet
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Hobbyist
Posts: 52
Kudos: 57
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Registered: 11-Dec-2004
male usa
I just ran another nitrate test, and I thought that I had no levels to show...Just as a goof, I held a similar tester with just plain tank water in it up next to the nitrate sample. It became clear that the nitrate test liquid certainly had a hue.
Perhaps it is less than the lowest marking, (10 mg/l) but compared to the plain sample, it was yellowish. Perhaps a "five" on that scale.

I still might get a new test, (cause I don't like the powders that come with fast-test) and double check.

Thanks!

Ed
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile PM Edit Report 
dthurs
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Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4340
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Registered: 18-Feb-2003
male usa
That could explain it. Mine goes down to a 5.



Dan
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile Homepage AIM Yahoo PM Edit Report 
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