320g build/journey/experiment DIY :-)

[Greenmaster]

Parameter update.

Ammonia is at 0 (or very close)
Nitrites are at 0 (there may be some slight color but not even a 10th the color of the lowest reading)
Nitrates are dropping... it's at less then 5 now... I would say 2 or 2.5
PH is at 8.1-8.3... hard to tell.
I will have KH and Calcium tests tomorrow.

[delo978]

parameters looking good, I always find PH and phosphate really hard to read so I test them just as a backup but generally not worried if my tank is thriving.

[Greenmaster]

Ya I'll get a controller to read those

[Greenmaster]

So now the results are:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 8.1-8.3
KH 80
Calcium 360
Salinity/SG 1.0255

I will be adding one prawn every 2 days till I order my fish... 5 days before my fish are supposed to come I will add 5 prawns and take them out the night before my fish arrive.

[abcha0s]

Just curious... What is your theory on why you are seeing 0 nitrate. In your tank, what is consuming it?

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by abcha0s

Just curious... What is your theory on why you are seeing 0 nitrate. In your tank, what is consuming it?

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

[abcha0s]

Originally Posted by Greenmaster

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

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.