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sera guide - Marine aquariums

The biological decomposition of nitrite by Nitrobacter bacteria leads to nitrate. The bacteria need oxygen also for this step. Nitro- somonas and Nitrobacter bacteria live in all zones of the aquarium rich in oxygen. This includes the upper gravel layers, the filter and the outside of the live rock. Water rich in oxy- gen is therefore important not only for fish and invertebrates. Biological conversion of nitrite to nitrate 50 The next step in the nitrogen cycle is the biological conversion of am- monium or ammonia to nitrite by Nitrosomonas bacteria. The bac- teria need oxygen to do so. This process is called aerobic (with oxygen). Nitrite is highly toxic to fish and invertebrates. Elevated ammonium, nitrite or nitrate levels are either due to mistakes or insufficient aquarium maintenance or to insufficient set- tling space for useful bacteria. The nitrite lev- el of the aquarium water is checked with the sera nitrite-Test. A partial water change is necessary if the value exceeds 0.3 mg/l (ppm). The ammonium and nitrite levels can be low- ered with sera marin bio reefclear. sera marin bio reefclear contains bacteria that break down ammonium and nitrite and is therefore effective merely biologically. The liquid product is simply added to the aquar- ium water and to the filter medium (please see page 26). Biological breakdown of ammonium/ammonia to nitrite Nitrite Ammonium/ ammonia Nitrate Nitrite