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Nitrites in the Aquarium
Nitrites are the second stage of the nirogen cycle and follow the ammonia in the cylce, as nitrifying bacteria is available and will build a colony as ammonia is available.
While ammonia is being converted by the species of nitrosomonas, nitrobacter is mainly responsible for converting nitrite into nitrate, which is the final stage three in the cycle. When we set up a new saltwater aquarium, the nitrogenous compounds will rise to high levels and this will enable the bacteria to form a colony of good bacteria and to start the conversion process (nitrogen cycle).
Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter are aerobic bacteria and need a constant flow of oxygen in order to survive and to perform their tasks.
Nitrite levels should be at an undetectable level at all times after the aquarium fully cycled which may take several months to complete. Nitrites are not as dangerous as ammonia, but still a highly toxic chemical, Nitrite causes fish stress at levels as low as 0.5 ppm. Levels exceeding 10-20 ppm are lethal over a period of time to fish. Immediate action is required if high nitrite levels persist after 7-10 days.
Nitrite interferes with the oxygen metabolism, it destroys the hemoglobin (oxygen carrying cells) of the fish, and aquatic livestock.
Detecting nitrites often means that the biological filter is not working properly, or the tank is overpopulated and the filter can not handle the load efficiently.
Ammonia in Marine Aquariums
What is Ammonia?
Ammonia is the biggest killer of fish in aquariums. Typically ammonia levels build up when you Nitrogen Cycle a new saltwater aquarium, but ammonia can build up when the fishes are to many for the size of the aquarium and hence overloading.
Dead or decaying materials within the saltwater aquarium cannot be fully cleared away using aquarium filtration systems alone. Ammonia is formed when the excretion of fish in the tank, or any other waste material within the tank starts decaying and decomposing. Decayed food and any other decaying organic materials will increase the concentration of Ammonia within a tank. The exact toxicity of Ammonia will depended on several factors such as water salinity, pH, temperature etc. If the concentration of ammonia can be detected in your aquarium it is said to be too high for your fish.
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Controlling Ammonia concentration within the tank can be achieved by cycling your tank. The nitrogen cycle aimis to create a colony of beneficial bacteria that will feed on the decomposing and decaying matter and will convert them into useful compounds. Bacteria called as Nitrosomonas consume the Ammonia that gets mixed in water and converts this into Nitrites and therefore we go to stage two in the nitrogen cycle. That is why it is necessary to cycle the tank before introducing fish in it. It is in the absence of such bacteria that the Ammonia levels start shooting up in a newly set up tank. These beneficial bacteria only need some organic matter and some time to make a colony.
Why Ammonia Posioning Happens?
Ammonia poisoning happens for two reasons:
- Tank not cycled correctly- introducing a large number of fish into the new tank will cause the Ammonia concentration to increase . Thi is cause the fish will be producing waste and the beneficial bacteria is absent and hence cant be converted and the ammonia will increase until the fish start to die off or if the population of fish is too high for the aquarium size the fish produce too much waste for the beneficial bacteria to handle and it will lead to raise in concreation of ammonia.
- Filter failure, lack of maintenance, over-feeding and use of medications- Sometimes over-enthusiastic beginners will also clean the biological filter media, thus killing the beneficial bacterial colony. When filters are being cleaned, it is important to keep the bacterial colony intact. After cleaning, the good bacteria will need time to recover and cope with the aquarium demands.
Symptoms of Ammonia Poisioning
Fish will show common symptoms if they have ammonia poisoning. The fish starts gasping for air and appear almost always at the surface of the water, or if the fish becomes very lethargic and spends a lot of time simply lying at the bottom of the tank, the fish may be showing signs of Ammonia over-dose. Or maybe the fish shows a red streaking on its fins or elsewhere on the body, this too could be indicative of high levels of Ammonia in the water. Loss of appetite is another common symptom. If the gills of the fish become red or purple, Ammonia levels need to be checked immediately.
How to Reduce Ammonia?
The best way to reduce Ammonia levels in a tank is through partial water changes. A new aquarium should always be cycled. Any new fish should be added slowly maybe only two at a time to ensure no overloading of the aquarium. Proper maintenance of filters is also a must to keep Ammonia levels down.
What are Nitrates?
What Is Nitrate?
Nitrate is the waste by-product of nitrifying bacteria (nitrobacters), which develops as part of the nitrogen cycle and occur as the final stage and stages are ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Nitrates are a key component to make an aquarium’s biological filtration system function and stay in balance.
Why Is Nitrate a Problem Element?
Nitrates are potentially dangerous due to its affects on the aquarium water chemistry and on the healthy environment for your fish while nitrates are accumulating. The higher the nitrate levels the higher and severe the consequences due to the stress on your fish and the favorable conditions for a serious algae outbreak
What Is an Acceptable Level for Nitrate?
The optimal amount of nitrate in any type of saltwater system is an negegible, but an acceptable range for fish-only tanks is from 10 to 40 ppm, sometimes with no ill effects. This is not recommended as extreme fish stress will occur at around 60 ppm. In reef systems aquariums even a minor level of nitrate can cause damage as well as death to delicate corals, anemones and other invertebrates, as well as some crustaceans. The acceptable range of nitrate for reef tanks is 0.25 ppm, but not more than 5 ppm.
Other Sources of Nitrate
Aquarium Water changes or topping up water from evaporation are ways to increase the nitrate levels in the saltwater aquarium. Ensure you use purified water and a brand of sea salt mix that may contain nitrates. Therefore filter tap water and use the correct sea salt mix.
How to Lower Nitrates
In order to control nitrate levels, there are a number of things you might consider including:
* Quality Saltwater Aquarium Filtration system
* Purchase aquatic species that eat algae, such as Surgeons, Tangs, Rabbitfish and Filefish.
* Change out about twenty-five percent of the water every seven to ten days.
* Put in plants
* Make sure your aquarium is large enough for the number of fish it contains.
For more information on Saltwater Aquariums click here to Saltwater Aquarium Guide
Nitrogen Cycle- the process
When you have completed setting up your saltwater aquarium, you can begin to add some hardy saltwater fish such as damselfish – popular fish if you are nitrogen cycle your aquarium and feed them regularly as this will begin the process.
Another alternative is live rock because dying matter in the live rock produces the ammonia source that you require. Ammonia level will rise rapidly because you do not have the adequate concentration of the right types of bacteria. Then the fish will become stressed and discomforted such as rapid breathing.
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The first stage of bacteria are now beginning to start and after a couple days the ammonia levels will peak then begin to drop. Now the ammonia levels will reach zero as the first stage bacteria will convert to Nitrite.
Now nitrite levels will begin to rise and if your fish are not strong they wont last past this stage.
A few more weeks or so later, nitrite level will reach its peak. Your saltwater fish again will show signs of stress. Small water changes of up to one fifth will help protect the saltwater fish against toxic chemicals in the water during nitrogen cycle.
Second stage bacteria are established and will multiply. Nitrite level will then drop and nitrate becomes detectable.
First and second stage bacteria are now established at this point of the cycle and will be able to keep up with the ammonia created from the fish, turning it into nitrate and then quickly converting it into nitrate.
The saltwater aquarium tank should now be fully cycled. You can now slowly start adding more livestock in your aquarium and allow the bacteria to work.
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
Nitrogen Cycle in Saltwater Aquariums
It has many names Nitrogen cycle, cycling, nitrification, biological cycle, startup cycle, break-in cycle – its what all aquariums need to undergo this process. Basically the nitrogen cycle is when beneficial bacteria are established in your saltwater aquarium.
We will discuss and learn how it works, how long it will take to get the cycle completed, ways you can do to cycle the saltwater aquarium and the important function the nitrogen process plays in keeping your saltwater aquarium working properly.
The process of the nitrogen cycle can take from 2 weeks or longer, there is no exact time frame as each aquarium set up is different.
Factors that determine where you are in the process are based on how many fish or other livestock, and organic matter you have in your aquarium.
The three components that are involved are ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Test your water often during the process and log your readings. This will tell you what phase the aquarium is in.
The best way to monitor the nitrogen cycle process is by usng a saltwater test kit that will test the three components involve in the process.
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
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