320g build/journey/experiment DIY :-)

delo978 · #1 08-19-2010, 05:30 PM

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 · #2 08-19-2010, 07:41 PM

Ya I'll get a controller to read those

Greenmaster · #3 08-20-2010, 05:10 AM

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 · #4 08-20-2010, 06:35 AM

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

Greenmaster · #5 08-20-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

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 · #6 08-20-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

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.

delo978 · #7 08-20-2010, 07:02 PM

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.

Greenmaster · #8 08-20-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abcha0s

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 environment to thrive in.

I have a DSB the homemade rocks and some special plumbing

StirCrazy · #9 08-21-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abcha0s

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.

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