"Dave" wrote in message
...

Plants do consume some nitrogen-cycle products, but you should verify that
your ammonia and nitrites should cycle down to zero before adding fish.


i didnt do the fishless cycle, i started out with too many fish and not
enough knowledge. (but i have gotten better)

nitrite .25 ppm
nitrate 80-160 ppm

Your nitrite level is a bigger problem than your nitrate level. Nitrites
(and ammonia) should be zero, otherwise your tank hasn't finished cycling
yet.


snip
i have two tanks that are about to finish their nitrogen cycles,

compaired to the 5.0+ ppm the tanks were at, the .25 ppm is a much better
ratio and is continuing on a downward trend, (though not as good as 0 ppm
granted) and indicates the cycle is nearing completion.

i'll not be adding any new fish for a few weeks still,

thanks for the links and the rapid response Dave,

tedd.