Well, my tank is definitely cycled and apart from some plant die-off (due to a power outage over New Year's absence) and gross hair algae, everything seems OK except the Nitrates. As it's a while since setting up (11 Dec) I've tried to keep the bacteria alive by adding fish food from time to time.
Last weekend I did a 40% water change after which it was still at 80. A day later it had nosedived to below 20 but by this weekend was back up to 80-140 (master dry-tab) So yesterday I did another big water change - about 15 UK gals out of a 39/40 tank - and today the nitrates are still 80
Now here's a problem; I decide to test the tap water and discover that it has 0.10 nitrite and 60 nitrate. So apart from the fact I'm living in a sewer, I'm never going to get ahead on the nitrates with a tap reading like that! My question is - would nitrazorb be good under the circumstances or do you guys think it may be detrimental to a new tank cycle set up? My lfs say they have these tea-bag like thingies to put in the filter canister. To make matters more difficult, I don't have a python and the lugging of so many buckets is hard going and once there are fish the temp drop will be an issue. Help and advice PLEASE
PS just incase it makes any difference, my PH is 7.8-8.00 and my filtration is 1500 L/h on a 180 L tank

Hiya Pixie,Just killing time til sandy gets here! You guys able to get Prime over there?

Thanks for keeping my seat warm Devs

If you want to try a nitrate absorbing pillow then I would say get the biggest as the small ones dont do diddly squat.
Prime
http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z405252.asp#product2080

-----------------------------Ah Sandy.....Ya didn't even notice!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey there, Devs. I'm not sure about Prime but I'm on my way to the lfs so will ask and see...... Catch you later.
PS. Big Burt still in sick tank and half out of shell - it's getting dark now so hopefully he'll start to move soon.
PPS. Aaaagh! just missed both of you sending this out - thanks