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Nitrogen cycle

 





 


Wilson
Koi Lover

Dec 29, 2007, 10:03 AM

Post #1 of 2 (458 views)
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Nitrogen cycle Can't Post
Hi everybody! I believe my tank is going through a nitrogen cycle. Previously, my ammonia levels were extremely high and nitrite was low. I put in zeolite and activated carbon (2 months now). Now it is the opposite. I've taken out the activated carbon but zeolite is still in the filter. Unfortunately, 2/6 of my fishes have been affected by this and appears to have bladder problems. I have separated them out into another salty bath but they don't seem to be surviving. I did a water change this morning (1/3rd) but still the nitrite levels are very high and PH is very low (acidic). I've added baking soda (1 teaspoon for my 120 litre tank) and a teaspoon of salt. The fish seems to react well to this but PH levels still acidic when I checked a couple hours later.

How can I reduce nitrite and improve PH levels? Is my situation very dangerous?

Please help.


frances
Koi Lover

Mar 3, 2008, 7:42 PM

Post #2 of 2 (312 views)
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Re: [Wilson] Nitrogen cycle [In reply to] Can't Post
a group of bugs turns ammonia into nitrites while another group of bugs turn nitrites into nitrates. ammonia and nitrates irritate the gills and mucous membranes directly while nitrites mess up the red blood cells in the fish. If you have new filter or filter material, had recently added more fish or fed them more food or in any other way disturbed the bacteria / nitrogen load in your pond system, ammonia will be the first parameter to increase. it is not getting turned into nitrates as it is ment to be which is why nitrate level is low. the increase of ammonia levels will stimulate the growth o the ammonia fixing bug which will churn out nitrites, while nitrites themselves will stimulate the production of nitrite fixing bugs which turn them into nitrates. hence, when nitrate level is high and ammonia level is low, you know that your filter system is working. nitrates are relatively harmless but may in turn encourage green algae to grow. they are the basic component of fertilizers. . calcium carbonate in the form of marble, limestone coral and seashells and sodium bicarbonates are good buffer material to keep water pH close to neutral. i think coral is also used to grow bacteria due to their high surface area to volume ratio.hope you find this useful

frances

 
 
 



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