My theory is bacteria is converting the nitrate into nitrogen... or maybe the start of an algae bloom? Either way it's all good :D

I almost got a fish yesterday... I will be stocking it with my first batch of fish as soon as my LFS puts in a new fish order. (I still may add a fish or two early...)

Yes, but it's not quite so simple. If it were that easy, we would all have 0 nitrate in our tanks. Are you talking about Anaerobic bacteria and if so, where are they in your system?

My curiosity is sincere. The 0 nitrate reading surprises me. I know what "should" be happening, but can't explain where your nitrate consumers are finding a suitable anaerobic enviroment to thrive in.

It's the water in Courtenay/Comox I tell ya ;) I have never had nitrate in my tank either, not even through the cycle and that was months ago.

I have a DSB the homemade rocks and some special plumbing :D

I had zero nitrate when I started my tank also. don't forget he had his rock int he ocean for a while which trurned it into fresh live rock, so he has a large bacteria count to start off with. my case and several others were all the same. fresh live rock into a tank and you get a instant cycle. I put a ton of shrimp and junk in to mine and never ever saw amonia, nitrates or nitrites

Steve

Well I couldn't wait... I got my first fish today :D

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/x...Firstfish4.jpg

What? you can't see any fish?... neither can I so lets zoom in... I can see one in the picture below... but you need to know where to look.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/x...Firstfish5.jpg

Lets zoom in a little more... I think everyone should be able to see one in this picture.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/x...Firstfish6.jpg

And zoom one more time for a nice close up shot.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/x...Firstfish7.jpg

If you look really close you can see two fish... it's like wheres Waldo :D

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/x...Firstfish3.jpg

Another picture of my two first fish.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/x...Firstfish2.jpg

My best picture I have ever take of a solo fish... today was my first day photographing fish...

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/x.../Firstfish.jpg

poor fella must be so lonely in there.. lol

There are two... I believe it is a mated pair... they were hiding in the same hole at the LFS... but they haven't found each other in the tank yet...

darn, I must be more tired than I thought.. lol. still, thats an awful lot of space for two tiny fishes~