Nitrate Levels In Tap Water?

[Jim1984]

Been testing water everyday as im waiting for my cycle to start in my new tank. There is 3 zebra danios in there and there is no ammonia or nitrite so the cycle hasnt began yet but i tested the Nitrate levels and its 10mg. I then tested the tap water and found the same reading in the water. Is this normal in drinking water?

 

[Truck]

This is fine, the legal UK limit is 50ppm.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yup, just fine.

-FHM

 

[grumpysteve]

the general rule for levels in tank water if there's signs in the tap water is to not let it get 20ppm above what it comes out of the tap. most fish can tolerate much higher levels of nitrate than we give them credit for, and you should only really worry about it if you plan on keeping anything particularly sensitive. obviously it's not a good idea to let it get too high though

 

[Jim1984]

So how long does it take for the ammonia levels to spike in a new tank? Ive had 3 zebra danios in mine for 5 days now and no ammonia what so ever? Is it days or weeks or does it just depend on different tanks?

 

[arobinson1984]

I would have expected you to see some sort of ammonia levels by day 5.

What test kit are you using? Is it a liquid or paper strip test?

What filter are you using? Ensure your filter doesnt contain zeolite or any other sort of ammonia remover.


Andy

 

[Jim1984]

Im using a Nutrafin mini master test kit. Ive tested it today and there is no ammonia and a very slight trace of nitrite. I have an Elite Stingray 15 under water filter which came with the package i got. Hold on i think it has zeolite in the filter cartridge. So what does this mean is it good or bad???

 

[fatheadminnow]

Look at this link:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=224306

-FHM

 

[Jim1984]

Look at this link:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=224306

-FHM

Yeah ive read that, thanks for the link. Im just wondering if the zeolite is going to hamper the growth of my bacteria and if so is there anything i can do to help cycle my tank?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Look at this link:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=224306

-FHM

Yeah ive read that, thanks for the link. Im just wondering if the zeolite is going to hamper the growth of my bacteria and if so is there anything i can do to help cycle my tank?

I am not sure if Zeolite will adsorb ammonia, I don't think so. All I know is that Zeolite acts like activated carbon does, and is not needed in a filter. I also know that Zeolite lasts significantly longer than carbon does, but still does the same thing. So, with that said, Zeolite, like carbon, is not needed in a filter. Me, and many other members on here, do not run carbon in our filters, we just have it handy just in case we need to to use it. So, my recommendation to you is that you remove the Zeolite and replace the space with some bio-media or some sort of mechanical filtration such as a foam pad.

Did you add a water conditioner to your tank?

Also, how many fish and what is your size tank?

-FHM

 

[arobinson1984]

Zeolite does absorb ammonia, thats its job, zeolite absorbs ammonia whereas carbon absorbs chemicals such as medications and tannins from wood. You can quite often find both in a filter depending on the filters brand.

You are right in thinking that it will definately hamper your cycle, you best option is to remove it from the filter. If I remember correctly it comes in small white chippings inside a little plastic case in the stingray filters.

You can actually run a tank using zeolite and never have to cycle it but its definately not recommended. The problem with doing this is that the zeolite can only absorb a certain amount of ammonia and when it gets 'full' then it will simply stop absorbing ammonia completely. Since the tank will not have cycled, there will be no beneficial bacteria present to process the ammonia so the levels of ammonia will just build up and up. There is also no way of knowing when the zeolite will get 'full' so it would need replacing monthly which obviously brings cost into the equation whereas when a tank is cycled properly natures way they is no extra cost involved and provides a more stable tank to ensure your fishes health.

Andy

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with Andy. He's got the whole story there. Zeolite is a very powerful ammonia absorbing resin and will suck away all the "food" the bacteria need.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[three-fingers]

Although over time it would seem zeolite is great for the bacteria to colonise (its full of ammonia and is in the filter), at some point it the future I would expect a mini-cycle of some sort in a non-fully and properly planted tank.

Zeolite doesn't stop cycles from what I've read/heard some people say and my experience using zeolite in various tanks at the lfs, just complicates them a lot. But I think fish-in cycles just slower and much harder to monitor when you use zeolite, not sure if it's an overall bad or good thing, but I would remove it and go without. And for fish-in cycles, look into plants (read forum articles on them first to avoid common easy to make, silly little mistakes ).

 

[5teady_2012]

I just read this anout zeolite

Thought it may be of some interest as its related.

Recharging Zeolite Ammonia Remover:

Zeolite Ammonia Remover can be easily recharged in a warm salt solution. Dissolve 80 g (4 tablespoonfuls) of non-iodized salt in 240 ml of warm tap water (approximately 48°C/120°F), soak the pouch for at least 2 hours and rinse lightly in tap water before re-use. Zeolite Ammonia Remover will gradually become fouled with organic matter, and therefore should be replaced when performance declines

 

[fatheadminnow]

I just read this anout zeolite

Thought it may be of some interest as its related.

Recharging Zeolite Ammonia Remover:

Zeolite Ammonia Remover can be easily recharged in a warm salt solution. Dissolve 80 g (4 tablespoonfuls) of non-iodized salt in 240 ml of warm tap water (approximately 48°C/120°F), soak the pouch for at least 2 hours and rinse lightly in tap water before re-use. Zeolite Ammonia Remover will gradually become fouled with organic matter, and therefore should be replaced when performance declines

Should still remove it from the filter, so a properly cycle can take place.

-FHM