evodrgn Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Okay so I've been cycling a Do!Aqua 45-P (10gallon tank basically) with Aquasoil Amazonia at 4" substrate level since May 30...I usually only test the tanks for ammonia and once that reaches 0 I do a 80-100% water change. The tank tested for 0 a few days ago but I was only able to do the water change today. So I did the big water change and used remineralized distilled water and did a parameter test. These are my results: Ammonia: 0 Nitrite: 0 GH:6 Nitrate:....off the roof....literally looks like fruit punch Did I do something wrong or what am I missing to make the Nitrate be so high? O_o I run purigen in all my tanks after they are done cycling and have already taken out the carbon out of my Aquaclear 30 since I thought the tank was done cycling.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High5's Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 The tank has cycled now just do a few water changes to get the nitrate down to zero near zero. After that you should be good to go for shrimp. evodrgn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evodrgn Posted July 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Phew...thanks for the clarification man....Freaked out since I haven't had that happen before. Should I be doing big water changes or small ones to make it drop to zero? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High5's Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I'd use some prime to lock it up them do a 50% water change this should bring you down to light orang, check the water your using for nitrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaprawn Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 I experienced the same thing and would assume its normal for ADA Amzonia. Mine took only 2 weeks for Ammonia and Nitrite to reach zero (I seeded the filter with bacteria), but my Nitrate level was off the scale at 160ppm (the highest). I did a few water changes and now its around 30ppm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 This good if it's high, means the cycle is over. Just needs a few water changes and it'll come down. Make sure it's stable and keep the cycle going if it's awhile till shrimp arrive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evodrgn Posted July 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 I just added all the driftwood that has mini fissidens on it and some ss mesh that has queens moss on it and will be doing 50% water change to it for a while until nitrates hit 0 and will be dosing Seachem Stability in there after each water change.I didnt use any seeding material for this tank or any of my other tanks that are cycling which is why it took a while but I'm glad to know I'm on the right track Edit: Checked the nitrates today after the 50% change...down from fruit punch color to about 40ppm now! High5's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaprawn Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 I doubt Nitrates can hit zero - especially in a planted tank, as they are needed for the plants. Btw, I tested the water at my LFS where I got the Amano shrimps - the Nitrate was 30 ppm. Also tested the river water where I caught a few wild shrimps - the nitrate was 0 ppm Comments anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Mine are always 0 in my tanks, many shrimp will not to good with nitrate present. IME I also dose ferts, so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddles Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 It was so high because Amazonia release so much ammonia during its first few weeks and all that gets turned into nitrates, so your nitrtaes get sky high. Sometimes it takes me 2-3 90% water changes to get rid of all of it. Just don't bother remineralizing if you're doing it like that, it's just a waste of your mineralizer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evodrgn Posted July 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 I'm on my third day of doing 50% water changes and will see where the nitrates sit tomorrow. If they're at at nice level I'll just wait until the weekend to do another water change and see what the parameters are at then waiting another week before adding shrimps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evodrgn Posted July 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 So nitrates are down to 10 after three days of 50% water changes hehe. I'll do one more water change on the weekend then wait until next week's water change to finally add shrimps. Many thanks to all who helped me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayphly Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 I'm not sure if you have them or not, but, floating plants are great to have in a shrimp tank. They will help keep nitrates low along with routine water changes. If you need some I can send you some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evodrgn Posted July 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 I actually use salvinia minima in all my tanks hehe so I'm hoping they do help a lot haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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