Nitrate in Tapwater

[Playsander]

Hi all. Apologies in advance if this is in the wrong section.
I thought this may help struggling newbies with their water parameters.

I have an established 40 gallon 180 litre tank that has been going strong for 10 + years with just the occasional hiccup.

After reading the new keepers section regarding cycling I realised a haven't actualy tested my tank water for years and years so I got a new API master kit (my old one looked a bit suspect) and promptly tested my tank.

Readings
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 10ppm maybe 15 (between the 2 colours)
PH 7.5

WTH? So tested again and got same readings.

Decided to test my tapwater.

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 10ppm to 15pmm.
PH 7.5

At least I now know its not something I have done wrong. Fish are all as healthy as ever.

So if you are getting some Nitrate readings test your tap water, that may well be the issue.

 

[seangee]

Your're lucky. Here at the opposite end of the big smoke our tap water tests at 50ppm for nitrate.

 

[Playsander]

Your're lucky. Here at the opposite end of the big smoke our tap water tests at 50ppm for nitrate.

Holy

 

[Rocky998]

My tap also has about 10ppm nitrate...