LEVEL OF NITRITES (NO2-)
LEVEL OF NITRITES (NO2-)
No nitrogenous substance should pass the threshold limit in a well-balanced aquarium. As ammonia and nitrates are more difficult to assess, it is the nitrites that must be analyzed regularly.
Nitrites - Nitrites are the result of ammonia being broke down by bacteria in your tank. Though less harmful than ammonia, it is still very toxic to tropical fish.
Nitrites: Chemically speaking, it is the hybridized molecule NO2, which contains a nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms. It is converted from free ammonia and is harmful at any level.
[edit] Nitrites
As your ammonia starts to decline, you will see the nitrite levels rise then spike. Nitrites are the byproduct of the ammonia-eating bacteria, and are also highly toxic to fish.
Nitrites and nitrates are in their normal toxic form
>>>> To raise your pH you can use Baking soda (highly recommended), Magnesium sulfate (recommended), ...
Once nitrites begin to show up in the tank, Nitrobacter and crew will follow. There is some inhibition of Nitrobacter growth in the presence of high ammonia levels. As ammonia levels begin to drop the Nitrobacter colony's growth speeds up.
Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates
These three chemicals, despite some differences, all have one thing in common -Nitrogen. For this reason, they are usually considered together as part of the Nitrogen Cycle.
NI Ni = nitrites
Encyclopedia 1.0 by Rebecca Smallwood
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Test for nitrites: Begin testing one week after adding the fish. Continue testing every second or third day, until it reaches zero.
Nitrites are converted to nitrates during the cycling process. Nitrates are not as toxic as ammonia or nitrites but they are harmful and will stress your fish at high enough levels.
Monitor the nitrites level everyday.
When you see a nitrates spike, drop the addition to 2-3 drops of ammonia per 10 gallons of water, everyday
When you see the nitrites level drop to zero, ...
Test Strips - Nitrites (Low Range)
Value Estimated by Two Observers of the Test Strips: Zero.
Actual Nitrite Measurement (as NO2-N): 0.011 mg/l, as measured with a Hach DR 890 colorimeter and prepackaged reagents.
My ammonia and nitrites never got very high (ammonia 0.5 ppm). I have a friend whose ammonia got up to 5 ppm when he was cycling his live rock, that's 10 times higher than mine.
For instance, the second symbol represents nitrites, while the third symbol represents nitrates. The first symbol represents ammonia. If you are a starter, you should use test kits to test the waters prior to putting your fish into the tank.
If the main symptom is inactivity: test nitrites, pH, dissolved 02, nitrates
Depending on your test results, try the following: Ammonia Change enough of the water to reduce ammonia levels to 1-2 ppm for freshwater or below 1 ppm for saltwater.
They are very sensitive to pollutants, especially nitrates and nitrites. Discus do best in peat-filtered water.
WATER: As a general rule, Discus should be kept in water with similar conditions to their natural habitat.
I would be testing daily for pH, salinity (SG), ammonia, nitrites and nitrates during this phase.
Filtration by a large canister or similar equipment can guarantee undetectable ammonia and nitrites.
Water quality means ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Ammonia and nitrites should always be kept at 0 ppm. no matter what. Your tank must be cycled before the rams are added. Nitrates should be kept at a minimum.
I've never had fish before a year ago when I inherited a 6 year old, 60L tank where after 6 half tank water changes the nitrites were STILL off the chart.
the common method of cycling a tank has been to set everything up, then add a few hardy or "disposable" (a term that I personally find somewhat offensive) fish, then wait 4-6 weeks until the bacterial colonies which convert ammonia into nitrites into ...
Cleanliness is of particular importance, as these fish are sensitive to nitrites. Red Tail Sharks will not tolerate conspecifics and may eat small fish.
Initially there will be no nitrites. Monitor nitrites daily and continue the daily ammonia dose until you get a nitrite reading. At this point you can reduce the daily amount of ammonia to 2 - 3 drops per 10 gallons.
Ammonia is extremely toxic to all of the aquarium inhabitants, and is broken down into nitrites by an oxygen-loving bacteria known as Nitrosomonas.
You can use test kits to measure a wide variety of water parameters: pH, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and even more specialized things like the concentration of copper, oxygen, calcium, etc.
An old standby that is good for biological filtration (the conversion of fish waste from ammonia and nitrites to less harmful nitrates), but is poor for mechanical filtration (the removal of debris- organic and inorganic).
The first species of bacteria to appear on the scene in a new aquarium are Nitrosomonas species of bacteria that "feed" on ammonia, and convert it into nitrites. Nitrites are a little less-harmful than ammonia, but are still rather poisonous.
Ammonia and nitrites are toxic to fish, levels above zero can be considered potentially deadly. The actions of beneficial bacteria are what keep your water clear and habitable for fish.
Along with monitoring ammonia and nitrites, you should keep a careful eye on the pH (you should always watch the pH, not just during the cycling process). The pH will tend to fall over time and needs to raised.
This gravel undoubtedly will contain live, actively multiplying bacteria of the precise species that consume ammonia and nitrites in aquariums.
Those bacteria will break the ammonia into nitrites, which will attract other bacteria to break the nitrites into nitrates. Use water testing kits regularly throughout this process.
When levels of certain metabolic wastes (ammonia, nitrites and nitrates) exceed critical levels, the intense ruby-red colour of the fish becomes pale.
Nitrites are less harmful than bacteria, but still pose a threat. Nitrites are converted to nitrates by nitrobacter. Nitrates are much less toxic and is used as fertilizer for live plants. Harmful in reef tanks.
You will not be able to tell it's working without testing for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates at every step of the cycling process. Nitrites must spike from 0, and return to 0, before the cycle is complete.
There are test kits to test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrate levels.
The Ammonia Spike
If you already have tested your water with a test kit and you have an ammonia spike, here are some things you can do to help correct the problem right away: ...
The tank should be kept absolutely clean and freshwater should be added in ample amounts during the growing period because the young fish are very sensitive to the concentration of nitrites in the water.
In ideal conditions, the ammonia released by fishes through respiration and excretion are converted to nitrites (by beneficial bacteria), which are then converted to nitrates (also by beneficial bacteria), ...
Water should not have any nitrites and as few nitrates as possible. Dissolved oxygen level as high as possible. Fast current.
Husbandry Information
Feeding ...
These fishes are sensitive to nitrites and regular water changes are a necessity. Cardinal Tetras should only be kept in schools of ten or more fishes.
8, with hardness 5 to 14 dGH. It can be sensitive to nitrites, though, so make sure the tank is cycled. With good care, it is not unusual for this little beauty to live 10 to 12 years, and not unheard of for it to reach 18.
Water runs through the media, which mixes with the air, and reacts with the bacteria, which serve to remove ammonia and nitrites. It is this wet / dry exchange that promotes bacterial growth.
I am also very new to owning my own fish tank, however there is countless articles on cycling available on the net, Ammonia and nitrites harm fish- simple as that. TEST THE WATER!!!! When the levels drop your tank has cycled. Its not rocket science ...
a start, luxuriant plant growth will filter out some of the light keeping algae in check. In addition plants absorb a large variety of chemicals from the water, thereby starving algae of some of their essential nutrients e.g. nitrates (not nitrites).
Allows improved oxygenated water flow and increased aerobic bacterial action in the gravel. Can also be used for periodic water changes to maintain a sparkling clean aquarium, free of ammonia and nitrites. Several sizes; all feature 6′ of hose.
Invertebrates are usually more sensitive to nitrites than fish (killing the algae could cause a nitrite spike). The shrimp in the tank are doing fine though, so it's not something that particularly affects invertebrates, just these snails.
maintain a Berlin style reef tank, 10 to 14 inches of skimmer column height is recommended for every twenty gallons of water. This will remove a great deal of waste before it has a chance to start to decompose and threaten your corals with Nitrites, ...
age they will require more salt until they have been completely converted to a specific gravity of 1.016 or 1.018. Not known for very aggressive tendencies but they can be territorial. Provide plenty of plants and rocks for hiding. Monitor nitrites ...
 See also: Nitrite, Water, Fish, Aquarium, Ammonia
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