Are these zero-level tests normal?

[Ryan Garlington]

I have 18 mid-sized tilapia and a dozen goldfish in a 140 gallon tank with 2 50 gal grow beds.

For the past month my ammonia has been 0.25, nitrate 0.0 and nitrite 0.0.

I've tested 5 different times over this period, all with the same numbers.

Is this anything to worry about?

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

Unless you never feed the fish it doesn't seem possible. You might want to get another test kit to rule out a bad test kit or use a different kind of test.

[Alex Veidel]

Also, you should double check the directions on your testing equipment, you might find that you missed a step or have been doing something wrong.

[Ryan Garlington]

3 times a day I feed them 1 tablespoon of stage 4 aquanourish, and 1 teaspoon of stage 2. Ill double check the instructions on those tests. I've seen high nitrate and nitrite levels in the past with the same tests. Its an API master test that I'm using.

[Scott Roberts]

The API Nitrate test can give false 0 results if the #2 reagent isn't fully mixed in the bottle. Make sure that you shake reagent #2 for 30 seconds before using it. I also hit the bottle on a hard surface a couple times while shaking it.  

[Steve R]

API test can also give false readings if they freeze or cook in a car. API produces are rated for 38 - 110 F outside of that they can be effected. I did water changes for them when i lived in PA as a teenager I used to regularly listen to the API CEO give talks at my local aquarium club and i remember them saying that was there rating parameters. It might have changed since then tho.

[Jeff S]

I have 2 -45 gallon aquariums, one with 14- 3" Tilapia and one with 7- 6" goldfish. I have aquarium filters and cycled grow beds on both and I am constantly battling ammonia so I can't relate to what you're experiencing. I would suggest feeding more and see if the nitrites and nitrates show up. I think you need more ammonia to get your system started cycling.  

[Ryan Garlington]

Well, it looks like my tests were malfunctioning. I bought some API dip stick tests and got actual levels on nitrate and nitrite. The woman at the aquarium store who helped me did confirm that the master tests can be damaged by heat so I shouldn't keep it in the garden shed.

[Jeff S]

Thanks for the feedback. My strips don't agree with my test kit either so I stay confused. The ammonia on the strips is always lower.

[Steve R]

strips are by far the worst testing method. They are even more effected by tempreture than liquid titration. The liquid tests are the best to use or use a digital hanna checker if you have issues with color or was a digital version but its still basically a titration.