Nitrates vs nitrites

[adamman]

what is the diff
and who do the effect the tank differtly with high levels

[JennM]

The nitrogen cycle goes like this...

Waste (uneaten food, or poop) breaks down and ammonia is formed. Beneficial bacteria break the ammonia down into nitrite, and other beneficial bacteria break nitrite down into nitrate. In a perfect world, other (anaerobic, anoxic) bacteria break the nitrate down into nitrogen gas and it is released into the atmosphere. The last step isn't always efficiently done, and that is one of the many reasons to do small frequent water changes - to dilute the concentration of nitrate that builds up over time.

Ammonia and nitrite are very toxic in a marine environment. Nitrate is less toxic - much less, but in high concentrations it can be harmful and even fatal too.

Hope this helps,

Jenn

[VWD]

you are getting into the very basic cycle here, Ammonia is the first step in the cycle and is very toxic to the tank mates then and then that is broken down and the 2nd step is nitrites whick is also toxic but not as toxic as the Ammonia, then that is broken down into Nirates the lease toxic of them but at high levels it can become toxic, routine water change take care of it , You need to read up on all this stuff and it will make keeping Your tank healty. Alot of good book You can pick up, these are things You really need to know .

Vince

[VWD]

Jenn, You do a lot better job explaining it then I do, Thank You



Vince