Will 1 ppm Nitrite Harm Fish

[Kyle918]

I am asking because my consensus has always been that ammonia and nitrite must always be zero but after reading more on reefkeeping.com, I found that nitrites upwards of 40+ ppm wouldn't harm marine fish. While I am not arguing that this is not correct, I just want to understand why the general saying is that it must be zero if it is relatively harmless to marine fish even at generally higher levels than your standard API test kit can register during a cycle.

[Reefmedic79]

NitrItes will harm fish, as to how much they can handle I don't personally know. Keeping any corals healthy for long is unlikely with any nitrites.

NitrAtes can be upwards to 40+ without any harm to fish, but on the longterm it's better for it to be much lower. High nitrates would also cause difficulties in keeping most corals.

[Sk8r]

Fish are much more tolerant---will survive up to 40, at least the hardiest. Reefers are the section of the hobby that strive for (but often don't hit) zero nitrate.

Do this: keep your nitrate under 10, ammonia at zero, and alkalinity at 8.3 and you'll probably do right fine unless you have very, very delicate fish.

[shifty51008]

Nitrites are pretty much harmless in sw, now in freshwater it is deadly. Either way after you cycle the tank you should never see nitrites, and if you do you have problems with ammonia.

[srfnhooker]

A couple yrs ago I did a remodel and moved my tank into the laundry room. Needless to say, out of sight out of mind. Totally neglected. No water change in over 2 yrs. Nitrates today are off the chart. I have 1 tomato clown and 1 red legged hermit kicking. I don't know how but they are. These two animals defy all logic. Crazy

[srfnhooker]

By the way I am in the process of a a new stand build and purchasing new equipment. Plan on moving my 75 back into the living space so my family and I can enjoy it again.

[Sk8r]

Don't drop that poor fish and crab into the new water: do an acclimation and let their systems adjust. You could lose them from the shock!

[bnumair]

in one study some hardy fish were exposed to 200+ ppm of nitrites with no ill effects but that doesnt stand for all fish. most fish might tolerate nitrites under 40ppm like stated above.

[srfnhooker]

Sk8r I will definitely acclimate to new conditions after the move.

[snorvich]

in one study some hardy fish were exposed to 200+ ppm of nitrites with no ill effects but that doesnt stand for all fish. most fish might tolerate nitrites under 40ppm like stated above.

This is incorrect. NitrAtes, yes, ;NitrItes, absolutely not. But for a reef tank, NitrAtes should be much lower.

[shifty51008]

This is incorrect. NitrAtes, yes, ;NitrItes, absolutely not. But for a reef tank, NitrAtes should be much lower.

actually it is correct clownfish can even handle nitrites of 344ppm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.htm#6

[snorvich]

actually it is correct clownfish can even handle nitrites of 344ppm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.htm#6

Having nitrites suggests that a cycle is incomplete. You are recommending to new to the hobby that they should add fish when nitrites are present?

[snorvich]

If you want a more descriptive/quantitative view, see Randy's article which can be found here. (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php)

[snorvich]

Nitrites are pretty much harmless in sw, now in freshwater it is deadly. Either way after you cycle the tank you should never see nitrites, and if you do you have problems with ammonia.

Or, as you said above.

[shifty51008]

yes, I agree if you see nitrites in the tank there is an issue with other things, and no fish should be added because it is the other things that will kill the fish, but the nitrites will not.

sorry, some times what I mean and what I say never come out right :D

[snorvich]

sorry, some times what I mean and what I say never come out right :D

Don't feel alone, it happens to all.