0 Nitrites on planted tank

[jmhart]

Check this out for dosing ferts:

http://www.rexgrigg.com/ferts.htm

 

[Po.Verse]

yeah, if you have very little nitrates, your plants will start looking a little bad. I had the same thing happen to me, a number of plants never recovered. About the only plant I have left from my first attempt is my java ferns LOL.

0 nitrates are just as bad for planted tanks than 80 nitrates in a non planted.

your confusing, you said nitrates both times lol.

 

[Cory Keeper]

arrrgh, so I did, need to stop posting when I'm tired.

 

[jmhart]

your confusing, you said nitrates both times lol.

Quick Nitrogen Cycle lesson, maybe it'll clarify things:


Fish produce ammonia(NH3) in the forum of waste. One type of bacteria converts NH3 to nitrITE (NO2). Then, a second type of bacteria converts nitrITE to nitrATE.

Ammonia at any level is bad for fish. Plants will use ammonia as a nitrogen source.

NitrITE is bad for plants and fish at any level.

NitrATE is bad for fish at high levels, and is good for plants at any level. If you let your nitrATE drop too low, you'll first start seeing deficiencies in the plants. If all other factors remain the same(lighting, co2, other nutrients) and your nitrATEs completely bottom out, you can bring on a cyanobacteria outbreak, also known as blue green algae. Cyanobacteria thrive in low nitrATE environments.

In a planted tank with a normal bioload, it's very easy to bottom out nitrATEs.

 

[Po.Verse]

haha, thanks. I was just confused cause he said Nitrates, and then nitrates again. Read his post.

So my 0 Nitrites is GOOD!

 

[Cory Keeper]

yes, zero niTRATES are a bad thing in a planted tank though.