New tank question

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by jason604

Yes my test kits are brand. I do shake it for more than 5 secs. About 10 or more because I thought that would make it mix better. Mybe that's y my readings are weird. Ill try again later when I get home. I added 3 bags of carribe pink sand in mybe that's y my nitrate is low? Also my rocks are pretty white and not many diatoms on it. I read that rocks should be pretty covered in diatoms before it finishes cycling. I Havnt seen that yet.

your nitrates are low because you added the rock to a new tank with mostly new water , nitrates are removable simply by removing water and waste.

if theres amonia now its going through a mini cycle and nitrates will show again shortly.