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| I just don't get it... http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30468 |
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| Author: | moiz [ Apr 30th, '19, 04:35 ] |
| Post subject: | I just don't get it... |
Have a system going for about 18 months Based in UK so its spring now. Last summer i used to see some good nitrate activity and plant growth wasnt bad. Around october ,(just before winter) i put in 30 trout fingerlings and took out all my plants. I expected some battles with nitrite but nothing happened. Over winter i never saw any high levels of ammonia, or nitrite or nitrate. ...since spring arrived we've had some warm periods from 15 to 20 degree celcius..and i was hoping it would trigger some nitrates but still nothing. I have planted a few plants also. Fish have got bigger but i dont understand whats happening with the ammonia... Ive increased feeding abit lately but still not seen a sniff or anything but 0 in the levels. Any ideas? |
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| Author: | Keegun [ Apr 30th, '19, 05:17 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: I just don't get it... |
I am in the same boat. Over wintered some bluegill. This spring I have seen a few nitrite readings and then nothing. So far I have doubled my fish to see if that would help and still nothing. I guess wait and see. Good luck. |
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| Author: | Mr Damage [ Apr 30th, '19, 10:43 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: I just don't get it... |
You should never expect to see Nitrite (N02), or Ammonia for that matter, in an established, well balanced system. As far as your lack of Nitrate (N03) is concerned moiz, if you had Trout in the system and no plants at all, and saw no Nitrates, then I'd suggest your test kit is fubar, or you aren't using the correct procedure when conducting the test. In a system with both fish and plants in place, it's not uncommon to see healthy plant growth and still have 0.0ppm of nitrate if your fish:plant ratio is well balanced. |
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| Author: | Kachok [ Apr 30th, '19, 10:54 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: I just don't get it... |
The only way you are feeding fish and not getting any nitrates out of the deal is if you are experiencing denitrification as the result of low dissolved oxygen. When oxygen gets really low heterotrophic bacteria consume the oxygen out of a nitrate molecule leaving the N2 to offgas, this usually occurs at the biofilter, some systems like the UVI encourage this to a degree as a means of eliminating excess nitrates. |
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| Author: | moiz [ May 13th, '19, 15:02 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: I just don't get it... |
hi thanks for the replies. so turns out it was a my test kit. i bought another nitrate kit and hey presto i have nitrates. my original/first test kit was the API Master Aquarium one - ive had it maybe 2 years - i know it used to work fine, but now i guess I can't trust it - do these go bad after time? ive ordered another one, as can't really find any other good alternative. fish seem ok. i thought i'd let them have abit of light so i uncovered the viewing pane i have in the lid. a week later my water went really brown - thought it was due to my filter/solids lift not working properly but must have been algae, as once i put them in the dark again it's cleared up. see you later guys - have a good season (whichever season you're in!) |
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