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When there are ammonia & nitrites in your tank, it means that your tank is not fully cycled. When it is fully cycled, you will begin to see some nitrates, but this also needs to stay under 10ppm.

While your tank is cycling, make sure that you do a 50% water change every week, more if your tank is over-stocked, too small, or not enough filtration.

Also, when you add new water to the tank, make sure that you add the recommended dosage of water conditioner such as Prime or Amquel+

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12y ago

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How do bacteria in the soil break down ammonia?

Bacteria in the soil break down ammonia through a process called nitrification. This involves two types of bacteria: ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). AOB convert ammonia into nitrite, and NOB then convert nitrite into nitrate. This process releases nitrogen into the soil, which is essential for plant growth.


What compound is most toxic to freshwater fish?

Fish waste includes ammonia (NH3), which breaks down into nitrites, then nitrates. Both in your store and at customers' homes, freshwater fish aquariums should be closely monitored for levels of these three waste products. Ammonia should test at zero in established tanks with sufficient nitrifying bacteria. However, ammonia can rise to very high concentrations in new tanks or when too many fish are added. Levels should be carefully monitored in new tanks and after adding fish, particularly in smaller tanks where waste can concentrate faster. Nitrite (NO2) and nitrate (NO3) should be monitored closely. Ammonia is broken down into nitrite, which is less toxic but still dangerous to fish at high levels. Nitrite is then broken down into nitrate by another type of bacteria, completing the nitrogen cycle. Nitrite generally is detected in only new tanks (during the initial phases of establishing nitrifying bacteria colonies) and when new fish are added. In established tanks, nitrite levels should test at zero as it breaks down into nitrate. Nitrate will accumulate in the aquarium over time but can be kept at safe levels by frequent partial water changes.


Why does cat pee smell like ammonia?

Cat urine contains high levels of ammonia due to the breakdown of proteins in their diet. When bacteria break down these proteins, it releases ammonia gas, which gives cat urine its strong ammonia-like smell.


Why does cat pee smell strongly of ammonia?

Cat urine contains high levels of ammonia due to the breakdown of proteins in their diet. When these proteins are broken down, they release nitrogen, which combines with hydrogen to form ammonia. This ammonia is what gives cat urine its strong smell.


Why is the ammonia level still high after performing a water change?

The ammonia level may still be high after a water change because the beneficial bacteria in the aquarium may not have had enough time to establish and break down the ammonia. It is also possible that the tank is overstocked or overfed, leading to excess ammonia production. Regular water testing and maintenance can help address high ammonia levels in the aquarium.


Your Betta fish goes crazy whenever you look at him in his tank swims up down around fins get big what does this mean?

Panic type jerky behaviour is often indicative of high ammonia and/or nitrite levels in the fishes water. It could also be that something else is wrong. I would start off by doing a few large water changes and see if he settles down.


What cycle occurs in the aquarium?

Nitrogen Cycle occurs in the aquarium.Fish produce ammonia which is toxic. In a well established aquarium, Some beneficial bacteria will break down the ammonia into nitrite, and a second species of bacteria will break down nitrite into less harmful nitrate. The whole process of converting ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate is called nitrogen cycle.Although, only well established fish tanks have this nitrogen cycle going normally.For new aquariums, fish keepers must do fishless nitrogen cycle before they add any fish at all, or the fish will risk dying to ammonia poisoning due to insufficient amount of good bacteria. The whole fishless nitrogen cycle process can take 6~8 weeks.


How many fish can fit in a gallon?

I wouldn't put any fish in a tank that small, but if you can keep it really clean and the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate down, a Betta is a pretty good choice


Hi what acid does fish flake food give off when you leav it in the tank thanks?

It doesn't give off any kind of acid. What happens to the flakes is bacteria start to form on them to break them down (This is called going rotten or decomposing) It is when these bacteria are working that ammonia is formed. Ammonia is a deadly poison not an acid. A filter is used to house aerobic (good) bacteria that will break down the Ammonia into NitrIte (which is still poisonous) and then it breaks the NitrIte down into NitrAte which is relatively harmless. This Nitrate can then be used up by the plants living and growing in the fish tank. When this is all working correctly in an aquarium it is refered to as a "Balanced Aquarium".


Why does cats' urine smell of ammonia?

Cats' urine smells of ammonia because it contains a high concentration of urea, a compound that breaks down into ammonia when it comes into contact with bacteria.


Can ammonia be broken down by a chemical reaction?

Yes, ammonia can be broken down by a chemical reaction. One common method is the Haber process, where ammonia is produced by combining nitrogen and hydrogen gas under high pressure and temperature with the help of an iron catalyst. Reverse reactions can be used to break down ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen gas.


Why can't I get the nitrites down in my aquarium?

High nitrite levels in an aquarium can be caused by overfeeding, overstocking, inadequate filtration, or lack of water changes. To lower nitrites, try reducing feeding, adding more plants or beneficial bacteria, and performing regular water changes.