Nitrites in the aquarium They are a chemical compound with which we must learn to cope. these compounds They originate from the biological remains of fish and plants. Wastes producing fish contain ammonia (very harmful to the fish themselves), but thanks to the nitrifying bacteria They are converted into nitrites, much less harmful and with the action of other bacteria oxidize compound, It becomes nitrate. Nitrates are ultimately neutralized by aquarium plants.

ÀWhat it is a peak of nitrites?

Sometimes, nitrites are uncontrolled resulting in a phenomenon known as peak nitrites. It is called peak, because after nitrites are in a very high concentration, His presence goes down. Nitrites are toxic to fish, becoming fatal in concentration exceeding 1 milligram per liter. Are often taken measures for their management and adjust when the concentration reaches 0,5 mg / l.

¿Por what it is produced a peak of nitrites?

To understand how you can produce a peak of nitrites, You need to know cycle nitrogen, Basic understanding life inside the aquarium. Within the aquarium, which it is a closed biotope, produced wastes that come from all living things: plants and fish. Plants provide remains, such as leaves, and fish contribute feces and uneaten food. All these remains are decomposed, generating ammonium and ammonia. Ammonium is not a dangerous substance for fish, but with a pH higher water 7, It appears ammonia, if it is a toxic product.

NO2 in the aquarium

In a healthy aquarium and presence of nitrifying bacteria, ammonium and ammonia is converted into nitrite NO2. But still a relatively toxic product, we need (thanks to bacteria) oxidizes nitrite and nitrate becomes, a compound which is used by plants as nutrient. For bacteria break nitrite to nitrate, They need a period of time longer or shorter, which can vary depending on the bacteria responsible for the process are not created as needed. If the bacteria present in the aquarium fail break down nitrites into nitrates, They occur peaks of nitrites.

most common causes of nitrites peak occurs

I think it has become clear that a peak of nitrites is caused by a lack of bacteria beneficiosas⠀ |pero ¿Por not present these bacteria? There are three common causes, by bacteria may be absent:

Measure nitrites in the aquarium

The only way we measure nitrites in the aquarium is using a Aquarium test. We check typical aquarium into strips, we will measure all levels: hardness, nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, Pha € |y also we have the option of use a test for nitrites NO2. Nitrite the check should be performed frequently especially when performing the process of cycling the aquarium, but also when we suspect that something is wrong in the aquarium. We may suspect that there is an excess of nitrite in the aquarium if fish stay long on the surface or wheeze and move their gills very quickly.

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Down nitrites in the aquarium

Once you have detected excessive nitrite concentration, we must proceed regulate levels to a concentration that is not dangerous. You should know that the logical way is that nitrifying bacteria do their homework, but if they are not present in sufficient number or simply not, we have to take drastic measures before the problem is tragic for our fish. We have two ways, Add live bacteria, It would be the most logical but slower process or use a product that is capable of reducing nitrite. My recommendation is to use Prime Seachen, Sera Toxivec o Nitrit-Minus, two products quickly reduce nitrite concentrations in converting organic amines, to be removed by the bacteria.

Nitrates in the water of the aquarium

The byproduct of nitrites are nitrates. You can find recommended water changes to reduce nitrites, but it is not true. Water changes which reduce the presence of nitrates is. To maintain an adequate level of nitrates should establish routines cleaning the aquarium (sifonar), with periodic changes of water. It is interesting to keep a detailed diary in which we mark water changes made and levels of nitrites and nitrates, to determine an optimum schedule for our aquarium, depending on the inhabitants: plants and fish.