nitrification
One of the most important biochemical processes in the aquarium is the reduction of nitrogen-containing organic substances. This is of crucial importance, because in this way generated toxic substances that pose a threat to our fish. The reduction is to microorganisms to ammonium / ammonia to nitrite and further on to the nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic substances! These degradation chain is known as nitrification. The nitrogen-containing organic substances include uneaten food, dead plants as well as the excrement of the fish.
ammonium / ammonia NH 4 / NH 3
the degradation of these substances occurs first ammonium NH 4 + or ammonia NH 3 . Which of these two substances present, is whether the harmless ammonium or the fish toxic ammonia on the pH value of water. The higher the pH value, the greater the amount of harmful ammonia.
Nitrosomonas and other bacteria
The ammonium / ammonia NH 4 / NH 3 is oxidized by bacteria to nitrite, NO 2 . We now know that not only are bacteria of the genus Nitrosomonas in a position, but a number of other bacterial species also, all these bacteria begin with the syllables Nitro Sun -. First collected thus NH 4 / NH 3 at the aquarium, this encourages the bacteria to establish themselves sufficiently to proliferate. If done drops of ammonium / ammonia levels so it is first to form an ammonium / ammonia peak.
nitrite NO 2
These bacteria are now producing from the ammonium / ammonia, the nitrite NO 2 . Also, this NO 2 is oxidized by bacteria further to NO 3 .
Nitrobacter
These bacteria include, among other species of the family of Nitrobacter and other genres. Your Name begins with nitro. These bacteria must colonize and multiply only in sufficient numbers.
nitrite peak
few days now increases the nitrite content in the tank, since the Nitrobacter do not reproduce as quickly and oxidize the nitrite to nitrate not as fast as it can be replenished. This we call the nitrite peak. The nitrite is also toxic to fish.
nitrate NO 3
The nitrate is the non-toxic end product of the degradation chain.
time
These processes are in a retracted aquarium next to each other instead and, ideally, is the only detectable nitrate or accumulates.
In a new installation an aquarium to form the individual decomposition stages and the first set. This is done sequentially. So it's first to an increase of ammonium / ammonia and a subsequent drop, then rise at 2 the NO . After some time the bacteria have formed and the value falls again. As the episode begins, the NO 2 content around for some time to fall in too. After that then collects the nitrate NO 3 in the aquarium.
ammonium / ammonia
uneaten food, dead plants, fish waste and other organic compounds are broken down in the aquarium and form an ammonium NH4 + to the fish themselves but also excrete ammonium. This ammonium itself is not toxic but is transformed at pH values above 7.0 part NH 3 in the fish very toxic ammonia. The content thus increases during the running of an aquarium at first and then to fall again, this takes about 8 days after its peak (peak). This ammonia is a significant threat to our fish stocking or at too early an impaired nitrification dar. The higher the pH the more toxic ammonia is available. Therefore, these two values for anomalies or after major changes to the filter or the aquarium to be examined. The proportion of toxic ammonia can be read from tables. These are available on the Internet. Ammonia is from values of 0.03 mg / l as critical from 0.2 as acutely dangerous.
The oxidation of NH 4 / NH 3 to NO 2 formed nitrous acid. This acid also attacks the carbonates of the KH and destroys them. It is therefore a decrease in KH. This process is reversible, the result in denitrification or by the intake of plants of NO 3 again KH. In some situations it is best to complete destruction of the KH and pH, and then decreases significantly. However, this is the exception and only with lack of water hygiene likely.
nitrite / nitrite peak
The bacterial degradation of the ammonium / ammonia is formed, the nitrite NO 2 . This Nitrite by the bacteria of the genus Nitrobacter and other bacteria further oxidized to nitrate. First, the nitrite in the aquarium and to collect but disappears again when the bacteria are present in sufficient numbers and do their work.
The bacteria are called sessile bacteria. That is, they attach themselves to a substrate, such as the soil surface on roots, rocks or the filter material. Beautiful outdoor water contains only very small amounts of these bacteria. This applies both to and for Nitrobacter Nitrosomonas. This increase begins after about 6-7 days and finds its high point, around 20 and 24 Day. This course and its peak is not typical in its quality but in the amount and its timing. This depends on many factors including temperature, pH value, the nitrite content itself, and therefore neither the level nor the time to predict. If the bacteria have established first but the nitrite is only very weakly detectable.
How does the nitrite?
in blood hemoglobin for oxygen transport is responsible. The NO 2 can now attach to the corresponding receptors and change as hemoglobin. This is called methemoglobin, this is not the oxygen-carrying capability. The fish suffocated so. As a symptom, we observe the amplified breathing of the animals, which then directly under the Surface are! Moreover, these operations have u8nd an influence on the osmoregulation of the blood pH.
When is a nitrite peak dangerous?
When it moved into an aquarium is an increase of nitrite levels as are primarily maintenance error into account how to thorough cleaning filter or substrate cleaning but also the use of bacteria harmful drugs. In such a case, the increase in care and control in narrow time intervals, and the cause removed. Most recover quickly, the bacteria and the peak falls from low and of short duration. For very sensitive fish and very soft water enters the toxic effect more of a. Action is needed from values above 0.5 mg / l possibly even earlier.
is much more likely to dangerous increases when newly established aquarium to be occupied soon. There is also the height of dramatic NO come 2 concentrations. A limit on the toxicity of NO 2 can also define very difficult. He is even on the type, pH value, ion content, for example chlorides, and many other factors. A value of 0.5 but it should not be exceeded under any circumstances and may result in individual cases even with fish lesions and deaths.
How you react to an increase in nitrite? Order from the nitrite the water to get help only change the water. The amount should be such that the value then clearly below 0.5 mg / liter. If the value rises again over these limits is to respond again! The quantity required, but by 80% and should be changed up to 2 times daily.
nitrate
The nitrate NO 3 is the end product of Nitrifikationskette. It is taken up by plants. The plants are capable of absorbing all the way 3 nitrogen compounds thus NH3/NH4, NO and NO 2 3 . In a balanced aquarium with a mature bacterial flora, therefore, the nitrate is very low there and is growing little. High nitrate levels, it is said to favor the growth of algae! Values to 25 mg / l are tolerable.
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