I have a question about something that's been bothering me for a while, everyone says my nitrates should show up between 10-40. I use a liquid test kit..API..I've used Master's too and it always and I do mean always shows up as 0. How can this be if I have a healthy tank? I'm very careful about following directions and it just has me bumfuzzled. Any ideas?

are you shure your testing nitrates and not nitrites

Are you shaking the second bottle for 30 seconds, and then the second vile for one minute?

what kind of additives do you use for conditioning the water/ getting rid of chlorine?
didn't BGH just post something about a product that killed off his biological filter?

Yes I test for both and yes I shake it exactly the right amount, I use a egg timer. Ammonia shows up different at different times, PH stays about the same always, nitrites change...it's just the nitrates that are always at 0.

I use API water conditioner, I've used it since I first started keeping fish 5 years ago. Until I got the O's I used test strips and didn't know much about water safety. I mostly just tested for ammonia. I've learned enough here to feel pretty confident but that constant 0 worries me. Would testing tap water give ya'll any info that might help?

something must be wrong with the bacteria in your filter....
i always have nitrates around 40 have never seen anything on nitrite and ammonia
i use the same test kit too, api liquid, and use api stress coat to condition the water

Since the fish are ok I shouldn't worry?

I would be inclined to leave it a week and then test for nitrates again. If the nitrates is still zero then maybe you should get another test kit. If there's anything wrong with your biological filter then you will have ammonia present

I'll try that but it's always been this way, for the past year that I've had a liquid test kit at least. Thanks everyone

Take 2 samples of your water. Test one yourself and then either get a friend or a shop to test the other. That way you will know for sure that either your nitrates are zero or that something is wrong with your tester or testing

I'll try all of this and let ya'll know what I find out. Thanks !
What is your avator Del? Whatever it is I want it, pm me for my shipping address please : )