It is necessary to comprehend the different aspects that affect water quality in order to maintain a healthy aquarium. Of these, nitrites are an essential component that must be kept an eye on by any aquarist. Nitrates, while less talked about than ammonia or nitrates, can have a big effect on your fish and plants health.
An environment that is poisonous to aquatic life can result from an increase in nitrite levels. In particular, fish are susceptible to nitrite poisoning, which, if ignored, can result in stress, disease, and even death. Maintaining the health of your aquarium depends on your understanding of how nitrites form and how to control them.
This post will discuss the factors that lead to nitrite buildup in aquariums, the risks they present, and doable actions you can take to manage and lower nitrite levels. You’ll be in a better position to provide your aquatic friends with a secure and healthy habitat if you comprehend these factors.
| Nitrites | Impact on Fish |
| Nitrites are toxic chemicals that can build up in an aquarium, especially if the tank is not cycled properly. | High nitrite levels can cause fish to become stressed, leading to illness or even death if not addressed promptly. |
| Testing for nitrites regularly helps maintain a healthy environment for your fish. | Keeping nitrite levels at zero ensures your fish remain healthy and active. |
- General information
- Checking the level of NO2
- How to regulate the level
- Video on the topic
- Nitrites are off the scale in the aquarium, is it worth panicking? What to do in this situation?
- HOW TO REDUCE NITRITE LEVELS IN AN AQUARIUM ???
- Ammonia, ammonium, nitrite in an aquarium. What is it and how to deal with it?
- War with poisons, how to remove: ammonia, nitrite and nitrate from the aquarium
General information
The process of nitrification produces nitrites (NO2). Ammonia and ammonium (NH3 and NH4), which are released from the excrement of aquatic organisms and the breakdown of uneaten food scraps and dead organic matter, are their precursors. Highly toxic ammonia and ammonium are oxidized by nitrifying bacteria of the genera Nitrosococcus, Nitrosomonas, and a few others to less toxic nitrites, which are subsequently transformed into even less hazardous nitrates (NO3) by other types of bacteria (Nitrospira and Nitrobacter).
In the following situations, there may be an excessive rise in nitrite levels:
- during the start-up of a new aquarium, when a sufficient number of nitrifying bacteria have not yet appeared in the reservoir;
- if there is no soil or filter in the reservoir – habitats for beneficial bacteria;
- as a result of general cleaning, washing the filter filler or substrate with tap water or detergents, which leads to the death of bacteria;
- when installing a new filter that is not yet populated by bacteria;
- as a result of replacing a large volume of water (more than 40%);
- with a sharp increase in the number of fish in the aquarium, when the bacteria present in the reservoir do not have time to cope with the increased volume of nitrogen compounds;
- with a sharp decrease in the number of live plants, which are also capable of utilizing NO2;
- when the filter and compressor are turned off, which leads to the death of beneficial bacteria from lack of oxygen;
- when overfeeding fish and overpopulating an artificial reservoir.
Since NO2 is a highly toxic material, aquarium water should generally contain very little of it. The standard value for nitrites is 0.2 mg/l; however, in certain aquatic organism species that are sensitive, symptoms of poisoning may manifest as early as 0.1 mg/l of NO2.
Fish with consistently high NO2 levels have weakened immune systems and are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Moreover, nitrites obstruct oxygen transport in the blood, which causes fish to suffocate to death. However, aside from the browning of the gills and blood, none of the symptoms of nitrite poisoning are specific, and they cannot be used to make a diagnosis. It is only possible to identify an elevated NO2 level in water through testing.
Fishkeepers are extremely concerned about nitrites in aquariums because even minute concentrations can be detrimental to fish health. In order to maintain a healthy environment for your aquatic life, this article will explain what nitrites are, how they form in your tank, and the steps you can take to keep them at safe levels.
Checking the level of NO2
Nitrite tests come in two varieties: droppers and test strips. Although test strips are readily available and simple to use, they can only provide an approximate result; it is not possible to use them to determine the precise concentration of any given substance. As a result, seasoned aquarists advise applying drop tests. A special reagent and a scale showing colors and concentrations, including those that match the aquarium’s NO2 norm, are typically included in the kit. After adding the reagent to a test tube filled with aquarium water, the color of the solution is measured and compared to a scale.
How to regulate the level
No action is necessary if the aquarium was just recently opened and its NO2 level is less than or equal to 0.3–0.4 mg/l. After a week or so, the nitrite values will normalize as a sufficient number of nitrifying bacteria populate the soil and filter. The use of starting preparations containing colonies of beneficial bacteria is the only recommended measure to be used during the initial stage of launch; this will soften the outbreak of nitrogenous and reduce nitrites when they appear in the aquarium water at the designated time.
In other situations, the aquarium’s nitrite levels must be lowered by implementing the following actions when the NO2 level is 0.7–0.8 mg/l or higher:
- Water substitutions. A sharp replacement of a large volume of water with nitrite poisoning can lead to rapid death of fish. Therefore, it is necessary to perform substitutions slowly: no more than 10% of the volume of the tank per day.
- The use of zeolite. Zeolite is an ion exchanger; it does not act directly on nitrites, but it takes away NH3+ and NH4+ cations, which prevents further formation of NO2.
- The use of nitrite blockers. These are chemicals that translate toxic compounds into a safe form for fish. They are used only in combination with other methods of removing unwanted compounds from aquarium water (for example, by substitution, increased filtration, etc.D.).
Keep your aquarium’s nitrite levels low to ensure its health. The detrimental effects that high nitrites have on your fish and plants can be avoided with routine monitoring and prompt action.
Maintaining appropriate nitrite levels requires regular water changes, avoiding overfeeding, and ensuring adequate filtration. The general health of your aquarium can be significantly improved by following these easy steps.
You can ensure that your aquatic life is in a safe and healthy habitat by being aware of the causes of nitrite spikes and maintaining a vigilant attitude.
