Water readings

[karen]

I think my tank is finally cycled...the pH is 6.4, both the ammonia and nitrite levels are zero. But the nitrate level is zero too. Is this odd, shouldn't the nitrate level be more than zero? If so, what should I do?

 

[jennifer]

Yes, the nitrate should be above zero. Did you have ammonia/nitrite readings above zero during the process? Do you have live plants that may be consuming the nitrate?

 

[karen]

My ammonia readings were always at zero but the nitrite readings were on the high side (posted several times about this)- they went from 0.25 ppm to 2.0 ppm. After waiting and several partial water changes, the nitrites finally dropped to zero, but now the nitrates are too. I do have several live plants in the tank (10 gallon, only filled with 5 gallons of water). Can a zero nitrate level be bad for the newts? If so, what can I do?

 

[jennifer]

It's certainly not harmful. I wonder if the test kit is working properly. You might want to take a water sample to a pet store and see if they confirm your readings. Plants will consume nitrates, but I've never seen them get it down to zero.

 

[karen]

Thank you very much for your help Jennifer. I just redid the nitrate test, I think I may have forgotten to shake the nitrate solution #2. The new test shows a nitrate level of 10 ppm, still low but not zero.